Apperley’s under-15 girls have proved they are the best in the land after a stunning performance at Lord’s.

They clinched the ECB Girls’ Under-15 Club T20 trophy with a hugely impressive five-wicket win over Ramsbottom.

“It’s a phenomenal achievement,” said team manager Mike Ahearne. “To say it was special is an underachievement, it was just surreal to be at Lord’s.”

The match was eight-a-side and after skipper Millie Downey won the toss, the Lancashire side were shot out for 89 in 16.2 overs.

Apperley were rewarded for bowling straight because six of the seven dismissals were bowled.

Bella Herring was the most successful with 3-13, while Downey claimed 2-25.

There was also a wicket apiece for Lucy Bull and Seren Radcliffe and Ahearne said: “Lucy and Bella are exceptionally quick for girls’ cricket.”

Wicketkeeper Megan Ahearne, who was the competition’s leading runscorer, then led the run chase with 36 from 33 balls as Apperley knocked off the runs in 14.3 overs, much to the delight of their supporters.

“It’s the first time the club have won a national tournament,” continued Ahearne. “It’s a big thing, we went down the day before and stayed overnight.

“I didn’t want them to freeze on the day and they didn’t.”

Ahearne will step up to manage the under-18s next season, but he believes the under-15s have a great chance of retaining their title in 2025.

“Lucy Bull, Bea Sprague and Charlotte Gardner will all be able to play next season,” he said. “And we’ve got some good players coming through, we reached the semi-final last season.”

Neil Rayer will be team manager of the under-15s next year with Tom Radcliffe taking on the under-13s.

The club clearly have a thriving women’s and girls’ section with Ahearne adding: “We played an under-9s game against Cheltenham last season, it was the first under-9 girls’ game to be played in the county.”

The club are looking for players for their under-9 team and anyone whose daughter is interested should call Ahearne on 07877 645100.