Ladies Land Softball League Title

It was a day of mixed emotions for the High Peak on Sunday, as two cricket teams battled it out to win the Softball title on the penultimate weekend of the season.

In what proved to be a nail-biting encounter at Marple Road Charlesworth and Chisworth Women’s Team hosted Buxton in a tightly contested fixture that had all the makings of a classic.

Following a moment of reflection to mark the Queen’s passing, Charlesworth, who are captained by Megan Pierce, won the toss and opted to field first.

They were set a target of 268 by the visitors and replied with intent, eventually reaching the target and sparking wild celebrations amongst the Charlesworth players.

Given the success of the inaugural season, it’s now hoped that more teams will join the league and a new wave of players will enjoy the sport next summer.

Kate Metcalfe, who plays for Charlesworth and established the league last year, says three more club’s have so far registered their interest to play next season. 

There are certainly grounds for optimism moving forward, although Kate still thinks more needs to be done from local clubs to ensure women have the opportunity to play the sport.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, she said: “We’ve had really good support from the club as a whole. They’ve been really welcoming and supportive of developing a women’s team, and we’ve had good consistency and commitment from our players, led throughout the season by our exceptional captain.

 “More needs to be done to develop the game, although it’s definitely getting better with the rise of women’s cricket on tv, which has definitely helped with exposure.

“I think it’s getting to a point where every club should have a women’s team, whether that be soft ball or hard ball. 

“A lot of younger girls play cricket, but the issue is: where do they go when they get to the under 11s age group?

“They need something to work towards, and there definitely needs to be a pathway developed for the younger players.”

Since establishing the league last year, nine teams have joined to form the division, which includes Broadbottom, Offerton, Old Glossop and Mottram amongst others.

With an increase in demand from the further three clubs, there are now plans to implement another division with the ope of making the High Peak a force for women’s cricket.

“I’m more than happy to take on the responsibility, because there are more than 100 women playing cricket, when this time last year they weren’t” said Kate.

“I’m from a rugby background, but Megan has been a cricketer all her life and she’s the one who instigated it all.  

“She got the ball rolling within our club and started a conversation surrounding the formation of the league.

“We’ll be continuing to practice over winter with the indoor net sessions, and then the season will begin in May.

“If anyone is interested in playing the sport, I urge them to contact their local club, and if they don’t have a women’s team then the question needs to be asked of how it can be formed. There is massive interest in women’ cricket and it doesn't take much to form a team.”