ST WILFRID’S Academy have booked their place at the Lancashire School Games after they were crowned Blackburn with Darwen under 13s girls indoor cricket champions.

The super Saints will represent the borough against teams from across the county in Blackpool in July.

The competition, which is relatively new within the borough, was organised by Blackburn and Darwen School Games Organiser Andrew Mercer in conjunction with the Lancashire Cricket foundation.

Teams of eight girls from St Wilfrid’s, Blackburn Central High School and Tauheedal Islamic Girls High School (TIGHS) took part.

In the opening game, Blackburn Central proved too strong for TIGHS in the first game and St Wilfrid’s also defeated a spirited and improving TIGHS in the second game.

This set up a winner-takes-all final between the two victorious teams.

St Wilfrid’s batted first and some strong hitting and some inaccurate bowling meant the Saints set Blackburn Central a challenging total for victory.

Early wickets and disciplined bowling from the St Wilfrid’s team meant Blackburn Central were always behind the run rate and their bowlers held their nerve in the final overs to take the title.

St Wilfrid’s will now progress to represent Blackburn and Darwen in Blackpool at the SPAR Lancashire School Games in July.

The SPAR Lancashire School Games are sponsored by Lancashire business, James Hall & Co - SPAR UK’s wholesaler and distributor for the North of England - who are based in Preston. This will be the thirteenth year that James Hall & Co have sponsored the SPAR Lancashire School Games and the company is delighted to be continuing the partnership.

Peter Dodding, sales and marketing director at James Hall & Co said: “We are thrilled to be able to continue our support for the SPAR Lancashire School Games and to help to promote healthy, active lifestyles throughout the county alongside our partners Active Lancashire and the Lancashire school games organisers. Last year the games reached over 94,000 Lancashire school children – an amazing achievement and one we can’t wait to repeat in 2019.”

Andrew Mercer, School Games Organiser, said: “I would like to thank QEGS for hosting the competition and staff from the Lancashire Cricket foundation for umpiring the games.

“I wish St Wilfrid’s the best of luck in the county finals and from what I have seen I expect them to do very well.”