‘It’s a massive challenge… but we’re excited for it’: Sefton Park’s women set out to defend Lancashire Cup crown

Raining champions… Sefton Park’s women celebrate their Lancashire T20 win last September

Sefton Park’s women will set out to retain their Lancashire T20 Cup title on Sunday – and win or lose, captain Sarah Culloty says it’s a sign of the progress they have made.

Culloty’s side take on Ramsbottom at Ormskirk to defend the trophy they won by scampering to the DLS target against Leyland last September.

Despite having the better of their encounter in the 40-over league earlier this season, Culloty says Ramsbottom go into the clash as favourites.

But she is looking forward to seeing what the day brings.

“It’ll be a massive challenge,” she said. “But we’re excited for it.

“Even though we’re the cup holders, I think we’re probably still very much the underdogs. 

“Ramsbottom are a very experienced team with a lot of depth and a lot of county experience in them.

“They had a lot of players missing for that league game. 

“It was still a very good performance from our team, because they’ve got such depth in their squad that even missing all their top players, they can still put out a good performance. 

“But I would expect quite a number of changes in the team for Sunday.”

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Sefton themselves have benefited from a settled XI, with eight of the players who lined up for last year’s final also playing in their semi-final win over Blackpool last month.

And after six years of the women’s and girls’ section, Culloty believes the hard work is starting to pay off in the shape of talented young players ready for 1st XI hardball cricket.

She said: “We’ve been working really hard with our girls’ section the last couple of years. 

“And this year, in the last few weeks, a number of them have made the step up to the women’s section and have started making their debuts for the women’s section, which is really exciting to see. 

“That’s kind of happening all across the Comp as well. 

“Northern have had the greatest depth in their girls section and now they’re in their women’s team and performing amazingly well for the women’s team. 

“So it’s great to see all across the Comp. 

“All the work everyone’s put in with the girls’ sections are really bringing extra strength to the women’s sections.”

Opening bowler Eleanor Cantwell has halved her strike rate this year, while Lancashire under-15 prospect Caitlin Summers has another year of experience under her belt, after playing a crucial part in that chase in last year’s final.

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Sefton also lead the Lancashire 40-over league, although with only one game left compared with up to four for their rivals.

Culloty said: “I think over the last few years, it’s been really nice to see our progression.

“From the first year, when we really struggled to win any matches, progressing up to last year, when we came second. So it would be nice to win. 

“But I think it’s going to be quite a tight one at the top of the table for the last couple of matches.”

Sefton’s women’s side have been a huge beneficiary of a renewed focus on the women’s game in the past few years, from the Comp in general and from the club.

They have had coaching support from Steve Rowe and Matthew Young, and practical support from everyone at Croxteth Drive.

“One of the Sunday team captains helped by moving one of their league matches so we could get our semi-final played,” Culloty added.

“Everyone at the club is helping out and that shows their support for us.” 

from Merseyside Cricket Online https://ift.tt/3iJUsac