EDGEBOROUGH School in Frensham wrote a new chapter into its history books as it hosted the school’s first competitive girls’ cricket match.

Girls’ cricket has been on the school’s curriculum since 2017.

However, Wednesday, May 16 marked the first game in which its girls played competitively for the school, with Lambrook School their opponents.

Girls’ cricket is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and Edgeborough is currently still playing competitive rounders alongside cricket and hopes to be able to introduce more cricket next year.

With a number of girls’ keen cricketers outside of school life, Edgeborough is also investigating the option of mixed cricket fixtures and winter nets for the girls.

Head of girls games, Claudia Rafferty, said: “All the girls were very excited to be playing in their first ever Edgeborough cricket match.

“We have some excellent sportswomen here at Edgeborough and for those who were experiencing the sport for the first time they have really risen to the challenge.

“We already have some girls representing their district at cricket and I’m sure many will follow.

“It’s not often that you have the opportunity to introduce a new sport into a school and I am delighted that it has been met with such enthusiasm.”

The excitement was also felt by the prep school’s headmaster Dan Thornburn who added: “I’m absolutely delighted that our girls are now playing cricket fixtures. 

“Girls’ cricket is growing at an astronomic rate and Edgeborough is set to ride the crest of this wave.

“We already have lots of girls who play for local clubs, as well as a number who are also representing the district. 

“When you consider that we also have two female county cricketers on the staff, the girls’ cricket here is going to be a real strength of Edgeborough’s already impressive sporting offering.”