Burgess Hill Girls Reach National U13 T20 Semi Final After Ealing Thriller

Burgess Hill Girls Reach National U13 T20 Semi Final After Ealing Thriller

Ealing CC Girls U13: 175–4 (20 overs)
Burgess Hill CC Girls U13: 176–4 (19.3 overs)

Burgess Hill Girls Under 13s moved to within one victory of a dream appearance at Lord’s after completing a sensational run chase against Ealing in the ECB Vitality Girls U13 Club T20 quarter final (South East Regional Final) on Sunday 9 August. 

Played in scorching 32-degree heat and watched by a fantastic travelling contingent, the match was an outstanding showcase for girls’ cricket - a contest of exceptional quality that neither side deserved to lose.

After winning the toss, Ealing chose to bat, with openers Tanya Shah and Swara Dusad showing their quality from the outset. Jess Parker and Chloe Kent produced excellent opening spells, restricting the hosts to 26 without loss after five overs, while Burgess Hill maintained superb standards in the field on a lightning-fast outfield. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 11th over. A clever field change tempted Shah to play across the line, allowing Orlaith Jarvis to bowl her before striking again just two deliveries later to bring Burgess Hill firmly back into the contest.

Dusad remained outstanding, carrying her bat for a magnificent unbeaten 64 from 47 balls, while Bhalodia contributed a valuable 27. Sophia Medhurst ran out Bhalodia in the 19th over before Kent claimed a wicket in the final over, leaving Ealing with an imposing total of 175–4.

Burgess Hill needed a flying start, and Cora Saunders and Evie Peskett delivered. Positive stroke play and excellent running between the wickets took the opening pair to 86 without loss after 10 overs, keeping their side perfectly in touch with the required rate. Peskett fell shortly after the drinks break for a superb 41 from just 27 deliveries, with Jarvis following soon afterwards. Saunders continued to attack, reaching an excellent 56 from 46 balls before being run out. When Kent was dismissed two balls later, Burgess Hill had slipped to 136–4 and needed another 40 runs from the final four overs.

With the pressure mounting against an excellent Ealing bowling attack, Neve Felton and Violet Bassett responded brilliantly. Felton struck her first delivery for four, while Bassett’s sharp running kept the scoreboard moving. The decisive moment came in the 18th over, when Felton found the boundary three times as Burgess Hill plundered 15 runs. Ealing continued to battle, but Burgess Hill entered the final over needing only a handful of runs. Bassett calmly struck the winning run, sparking huge celebrations among the players and travelling supporters.

It was a magnificent game of cricket, with both teams producing outstanding batting, bowling, fielding and wicketkeeping in incredibly demanding conditions. Huge thanks go to Ealing for their superb hospitality, to the umpires and volunteers, and to all the Burgess Hill families, friends, committee members and supporters who made the journey to London.

The victory crowns Burgess Hill Girls U13 as South East regional champions and confirms their place among the top four teams in the country. No Sussex team has made it this far before, either boys or girls and they will now face South West champions Hursley CC in the Vitality Girls U13 Club T20 Semi Final at Wokingham CC on Thursday 20 August.

The team’s achievement is even more significant given that all eight Burgess Hill players attend state schools - something worthy of recognition and celebration within the wider sport.

Player of the Match: Ealing’s Swara Dusad, for a swashbuckling unbeaten 64 from 47 balls. A superb innings.

The journey continues for this brilliant group of girls for at least one more match. Can they take the final step and make it to Lord’s?

Full scorecard from the match can be found here.

Match report courtesy of Matt Charman, Burgess Hill CC