In 37.2 overs, this Ramsbottom women's cricket team just made history

A women’s cricket club made history after they won their first match of the season in the men’s Lancashire League, becoming the first all-women’s team to play in a male division.

Ramsbottom Cricket Club’s women’s team broke new ground on Saturday, April 27, by kicking off their 2024 season at home to Accrington CC in the men’s Lancashire League.

They beat Accrington CC 3rd XI by six wickets, chasing 157 in 37.2 overs.

Ramsbottom CC Women’s 1st XI played in the 3rd XI League Division 3, facing both all-men’s and some mixed-gender sides in the Saturday Lancashire League pyramid, after the team won every game in the Women’s Lancashire Cricket Foundation League last season.

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The decision was made to develop the women’s team as quickly as possible and the club’s approach to the league was accepted last year, following consultation with players, members, and supporters of Ramsbottom.

The move is considered an interim solution for the club, but a requirement to provide the women’s 1st team with the best opportunity for development. In the future, the club would like for the women’s team to revert to playing only in a competitive women’s league.

The team has a busy schedule in 2024, playing competitive cricket on both Saturday and Sunday, as they will also be bidding to win their third consecutive Lancashire Women’s 40 Over League title every Sunday.

The team donned brand new whites during the game, supplied by bespoke teamwear supplier Kitlocker, who supplied them with a brand new women’s kit to support them on an exciting journey for 2024.

Daisy Hunt, Ramsbottom CC Women’s 1st XI Captain, said: “We were so excited to take on this new challenge for 2024, competing against men’s teams week-in week-out. At the end of last season, we decided with the talent in our squad we needed to take another step forward to challenge ourselves and continue to improve.

“As a squad, we have lofty ambitions for the year ahead. Our optimism is helped by the incredible support we have received from everyone at the club, and sponsors like Kitlocker who have produced an awesome kit for us to compete in this season.”

Kitlocker is the teamwear supplier of Ramsbottom Cricket Club and supplies more than 1,000 clubs from sports including cricket, football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, and more.

Oli Brierley, marketing director at Kitlocker, said: “Ramsbottom Cricket Club is an excellent example of a grassroots club taking on the status quo and challenging themselves to be better.

“We are proud to support them on their journey and provide them with our very best kit for 2024.

“We recognise some of their underdog spirit in our journey to today.”

Ramsbottom Cricket Club’s women’s and girls section was set up in 2020, with the club able to field eight women’s teams from under-11 through to their two senior teams.