CRICKETING maidens at Lymington have been bowled over by their success in winning a grant for new gear.

The newly formed girls cricket squad at Priestlands School are now equipped down to the last bail, thanks to a £300 grant from the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust.

Priestlands' sports teacher Fiona Jarman, heavily involved in county cricket, is brimming with enthusiasm about her new team.

"We have lit a little candle hoping the flame will take hold. There is a lot of excitement now about cricket, especially after the World Cup.

"We have boys' cricket teams, but we've not had a girls' team before. Now we have county cricketer Clare Slaney coming in twice a week, and Year 7 girls who can already rattle off the lbw rule," said Fiona.

Priestlands' girls are now ready for their first match in the regional league - against Noadswood School, Hythe.

Randal Haigh of Brockenhurst, local member of the Brian Johnston Trust, visited Priestlands to make the presentation to the new cricketers. He said cricket commentator "Johnners", who died five years ago, had a passion "for England's great national sport."

"The trust was set up after his death five years ago, to promote the causes which were closest to his heart. Cricket in schools was a priority, and we make many grants like this," he said.

Priestlands spokesman Mark Drury said the cash resulted from an application to national grants body Education Extra, to support the school's extra-curricular provision.

"We not only got the grant, but Priestlands was among only 270 schools in the whole country to win a distinction award for the wide range of after-school activities we provide," he said.

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