GLOUCESTERSHIRE Girls U18s have won their ECB group to qualify for finals day at Loughborough University on September 11.
Victories over Oxfordshire and then Wiltshire at Hatherley & Reddings in their final two matches ensured the squad (image courtesy Matt Hunkin) finished clear at the top of their group with a superb record of seven successes from eight outings.
Rachel Le Poidevin (4-14 from four) and Lily Knox (3-9 from 3.4) led the charge as Oxfordshire were bowled out for just 89 ahead of captain Bea Ellis (34 not), Isobel Patel (22) and Katie Jones (18 not) ensuring a nine-wicket triumph with more than nine overs in hand.
And Gloucestershire maintained that momentum with a 61-run trumping shortly after of Wiltshire.
Isobel, again opening the innings, this time top scored with 65 off just 44 (ten fours and a six) while both Bea and Katie Dolman hit 26 in an imposing total of 166-6.
Rachel was in even more devastating form in this game, producing a superb burst of 5-4 from four overs and Liv Daniels capturing 3-10, as Wiltshire’s reply faded to 105 all out.
Gloucestershire now prepare for a weekend trip to Loughborough alongside Lancashire, Leicestershire and Middlesex who have also all qualified.
Gloucestershire Girls U11 Development squad, meanwhile, ended their season on a high with two wins over Wiltshire at Hambrook.
Emily Tomkinson (3-11) and captain Evie Tadman (34) starred in a five-wicket victory while Evie Hughes (3-5) then took centre stage in a six-wicket success.
The U15 Development squad continued their recent good form by defeating Buckinghamshire by nine wickets and then 68 runs in a double header at Chipping Sodbury.
Hannah La Valette-Cooper (3-3 from four) and Daisy Romanek (50 not off 32 balls, nine fours and a six) dominated the first match while Maddie White cracked an unbeaten 50 from 30 (eight fours and a six) in the second clash.
And the U13 Development squad saw off Somerset U12s by 63 runs, captain Josie Drury (43) helping her side pile up 186-9 from their 30 ahead of the bowlers rounding off an excellent all-round display.
THE Seat Unique Stadium will on Sunday host Gloucestershire’s U19 T20 Performance finals day.
The action gets underway at 10am with the first semi-final between Golden Hill and Cheltenham Chiefs followed by a clash between holders Dumbleton and Bristol Afghans at around 1.15pm ahead of the final which is scheduled for about 4.30pm.
DOWNEND, the inaugural winners of the new Bristol Midweek T20 League, will on Sunday have home advantage in a challenge match against Burnham-on-Sea, representing the Weston Midweek League (2pm).