ENGLAND ace Kate Cross was a keen onlooker as more than 140 girls from primary schools across Burnley took part in the national schools cricket competition.

A total of 12 schools from the borough took part in the event held at Lowerhouse Cricket Club where fast bowler Cross got to chat to young players and watch them in action.

And she could not have failed to have been impressed by what she saw.

St Leonard’s took on Padiham Primary in the final, with the Saints emerging victorious.

They now progress in to the county finals which will be held at Unsworth Cricket Ground on the June 25.

St Leonard’s progressed through the group stages with relative ease – clocking up over 70 runs against Barden, St John’s and Stoneyholme. But they were tested in the semi finals by Christ the King but ended up winning by 27 runs.

It was a Padiham derby in the other semi-final as Padiham Primary took on Padiham Green who qualified as best runner-up. Padiham Primary won by 18 runs to face St Leonard’s in the final.

And it was the Saints who took the Burnley title by 21 runs and will now represent the borough in the ECB regional County finals.

The event was held during national cricket week and School Games Organiser, Helen Tyson said: “We would like to thank Lowerhouse CC for their support along with the LCB and Kate Cross, for making the event so memorable for the girls.”

Cross added: “It’s great to see so many girls here playing cricket.

“I didn’t really get the chance to play in this kind of event when I was growing up, as my school didn’t have a team.”