The NCU Schools’ U13 Girls Super 8’s Trophy took place at the Ulster University in Jordanstown on Friday 13th June. 

Eight teams from across the Northern Cricket Union (NCU) region took part in a fun filled day of Super 8’s Cricket. 

The competition is now in its second year of competition and it is fast developing into a showcase tournament for Girls Cricket here in the NCU.  Six schools took part in the 2013 competition and as a result of its immediate success those numbers have this year climbed to 11 schools taking part in the Super 8’s format. 

The on-going development work of Cricket Ireland’s Development Team (Follow on twitter @CricIreDevTeam), coupled with the increased support from local Active Communities coaches has meant a rapid increase in playing numbers and overall general awareness of the girls game here in the North.

Nigel Jones, Cricket Ireland Regional Development Officer in the North said: “The Super 8’s competition has been a major hit with schools and to see the engagement from so many (schools) is very pleasing.  This format allows girls to convert their skills from soft ball Cricket to hard Ball Cricket without the ‘rigidness’ of traditional Cricket.  The game must be flexible based on its audience and this is where Super 8’s has proved to be a great success so far on the player pathway.  I guess the real measure now is the ’playing’ conversion from school Cricket to club Cricket and this is where clubs have a major role to play. 

“I will be speaking to a number of clubs throughout 2014 to establish interest and resource so further playing opportunities are not just restricted to the school environment.  Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ulster University in Jordanstown for their on-going support of Cricket in the NCU – their support of days like today is hugely important as we look to continue to develop the girls and women’s game here in the North.”

This year’s Super 8’s Trophy final was contested between Wallace High School and Royal School Dungannon. The final result saw the 2013 runners up Wallace High go one better in 2014 to claim a comprehensive win in the final over Royal School Dungannon. 

Well done to Wallace High on their win and to all the teams/girls that took part in 2014.  2015 promises to be another step forward with a number of ‘new to Cricket’ schools expressing an interest in the Super 8’s format of the game.

The 2014 Final Scorecard
Wallace High School 73-4 (8 overs, Steek 18, McMullan 18, Williams 14no, Matthews 1-7)
Royal School Dungannon 43-2 (8 overs, Ferguson 16, Carson 8, Ayerst 1-4)
Wallace High School beat Royal School Dungannon by 30 runs