Kent women celebrate in style

Kent’s victorious women’s team proudly show off the LV County Championship cup they won

For the second successive year Kent women's and girls cricket, who are sponsored by SeaFrance and Sportsmatch, have virtually swept all before them by winning three out of four national county titles.

Special guest, former Kent and England captain Mike Denness, joined 200 guests as Kent celebrated their remarkable 2007 season by holding their awards ceremony on board the SeaFrance Rodin as it sailed from Dover to Calais and back.

The highlight of the presentation was a second successive victory for Kent women in the LV County Championship. This was followed by wins for Kent's Under-13 and Under-17 teams in their respective county championships.

Senior women's coach Alan Duncan presented Tammy Beaumont and Karen Baker with their county caps for making their senior county championship debuts, having started their cricketing careers in Kent's Under-11s in 2000.

Marsha Davies announced her retirement from senior county cricket. She was presented with a silver salver by team-mate Natalie Lane to recognise her 10 years of service playing for Kent women.

Mike Denness was the guest of honour at the presentation

Tony Rose, chairman of Kent women's and girls cricket presented The Bergman Osterberg Shield for the most outstanding performance of the season to Emma Plush for her outstanding captaincy in the ECB Under-17 county final, which enabled Kent to beat Staffordshire by 14 runs in a thrilling match.

Mike Denness presented the Golden Jubilee award to Phil Pass, for his outstanding contribution as a coach with women's and girls cricket for the past 15 years. He is coach to the Mote Ladies, and coached the Kent Under-17 girls to four national finals, finally winning outright in 2007.

Due to an England training camp at Loughborough, Charlotte Edwards was not able to be present. However, via a pre-recorded DVD, she praised and thanked the senior team and everyone who had supported during the season.

Presentations were also made by Terry Hall and John Bray of the Kent youth cricket Trust and Kent county cricket supporters club, and there was a special tribute to David Sear, Kent cricket development manager, who is leaving Kent cricket board shortly.

Bill Laidlaw, SeaFrance sales director said: "Once again Kent girls and women have had a terrific season.

"I am delighted that SeaFrance is able to lend its support to Kent women's and girls cricket - well done to everyone involved, especially to David Sear. His vision and dedication has taken Kent women's and girls cricket to the top, where they remain the champion county of England."

The process of finding talented cricketing girls to represent Kent continues. If parents would like their daughters to play club or county cricket, contact the Kent cricket board on 01227 473621 or david.sear.kent@ecb.co.uk

Kent women and girls roll of honour 2007:

Kent Teams
LV County Championship (winners)
ECB Under-17 County Championship (winners)
ECB Under-13 County Championship (winners)
Under-17 Taunton Festival (winners)
Under-13 Radley Festival (winners)

Kent Under-11
Best fielder - Nia Lewis
Most improved player - Grace Franklin
Best bowler - Lottie Bryan
Best batsman - Tash Farrant
Managers' awards - Lettie Hadley & Genevieve Masters

Kent Under-13
Most improved player - Katharine Wickington
Best bowler - Deveena Pithia
Best fielder - Laura Bassant
Best batsman - Katharine Long
Captain's award - Kate Stent

Kent Wonder Bees (Under-12/13)
Most improved player - Rebecca Belt
Best fielder - Emma Marsh
Best bowler - Charlotte Pape
Best batsman - Amy Rye
Captain`s award - Zoe Sturgess

Kent Under-15
Most improved player - Elysa Hubbard
Best bowler - Jennifer Hamer
Best fielder - Dee Tress
Best batsman - Grace Lovegrove

Kent Under-17
Most improved player - Sarah Kennett
Best fielder - Caroline Bolton
Best bowler - Jenny Friend
Best batsman - Stephanie Masters
Players' player award - Katy Ling

Kent senior women
Batting award - Emily Drumm
Jean Clark award for bowling - Lynsey Askew
Fielding award - Lydia Greenway
Players' player of the year - Emily Drumm

Bergman Osterberg Union Shield (for best individual performance) - Emma Plush
Golden jubilee award - Phil Pass
Senior development award - Laura Thompson
County caps - Tammy Beaumont & Karen Baker