SOUTH Wilts under-13 Girls are now just one game away from the national finals of the prestigious Lady Taverners Cup.

This is after an excellent victory over local rivals St Cross in the Group 4 semi-final.

To reach the final four, South Wilts were given a bye in the first round.

They followed this up with wins over New Milton in round two and Bath in a quarter-final clash.

In their semi-final victory over St Cross, South Wilts won the toss and elected to field, in a competition which is a 20 over format with teams being eight-a-side.

South Wilts strong bowling line up immediately put the St Cross batting line up to the sword, with Izzy Reeve (2-2) and Poppy Walker (2-9).

The pair were excellently supported by the fine accurate bowling of Izzy Malone and Lottie Carr, reducing them to 54 all out.

The South Wilts reply got of to a flying start with Malone (16 not out) complimenting the more aggressive, and high calibre batting of Georgia Mcdade (30).

South Wilts were within three of the total before the only wicket fell, so they won the game by the impressive margin of seven wickets.

This great all round performance earned the South Wilts youngsters a trip to Devon to face Exeter.

The winners of this match will then go forward to the four team National Finals.

This will be held at Neston Cricket Club in Cheshire on Wednesday, August 7.

Thanks should go to Jason Reeve for his dedicated commitment to the Girls cricket section in what is the fastest growing sector within South Wilts and cricket nationally.