A new women’s cricket team has been set up at Malton and Old Malton Cricket Club.

For the first time in its long history, the Club has a competitive women’s cricket team playing in the Scarborough and Ryedale Softball league.

Just 18 months ago the club had no specific provision for women’s cricket.

Junior coaches Scott Johnson and Tom Tyson decided that for a club of its size, with four senior teams and more than 80 junior players, the provision of coaching and playing women’s cricket was long overdue.

Last year saw free coaching sessions, continued throughout the winter and the number of players of all ages taking part has increased dramatically, confirming that there is an enthusiasm for women’s cricket in the town.

In addition, the team has its own women’s coach, Allison Gilbank who has also arranged for the team to be sponsored by local business The Patisserie.

Allison said: "The great thing about the women’s team is that women and girls of all ages from 11 upwards are learning the game, improving their skills and above all, enjoying their cricket. We are extremely grateful to Andrew and Della for their sponsorship of the team providing us with team shirts. From here the aim is to improve and to invite more women and girls to get involved. It is a friendly club and league we play in and everyone who plays has great fun doing it”.

Supervising coach Tom added: "It has made the club and the clubhouse an even more friendly and inclusive place to be. I am proud of the ladies and how they are developing as cricketers. In Allison they have an inspirational coach who works tirelessly to ensure everything runs smoothly. The next home fixture is this Sunday, which happily coincides with the club’s annual Beer and Gin festival. It would be great to have a good crowd to cheer on the ladies on August 18 at a family friendly festival.”

"Sunday’s game starts at 1 pm. It seems, from a standing start, that in a very short period of time, that the club and the town have got behind their ladies team which promises to go from strength to strength in future."

* The Annual Beer and Gin Festival for Malton and Old Malton Cricket Club takes place this Saturday and Sunday. The family-friendly event raises funds for the club. There will be food, local beers and gins, live music, bouncy castle and much more.

For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/maltoncricket