THE ladies of Whitchurch Cricket Club are about to launch their second season with high hopes of making it an even better one than their inaugural year, 2001.

Last season they won their first ever match, a friendly against Ashburton Women, with a squad of 20 players from teenagers up to 50-year-olds.

They then had two members of the club, captain Cathy Griffin and vice-captain Lesley Smith, picked to play for Devon.

They also entered an eight-a-side competition at Exmouth and have been going from strength to strength ever since.

Cathy Griffin said: 'The Whitchurch men invited us to join the club and then we really surprised them and surpassed both our and their expectations. We've got some good players and have never had fewer than 22 at a training session.'

They are now affiliated to the Devon Women's Cricket Association and have been accorded league status in only their second term — all matches are played on Sundays.

Sponsored by the Whitchurch Inn, they are now padding up for a tough season's campaign against the likes of Exeter Isca, Sandford, North Devon, South Devon and Ashburton, with high hopes of adding Babbacombe, Bovey Tracey and Dartmouth to the burgeoning fixture list.

They are coached in the main by Steve Hodge, who also coaches Whitchurch Men and Devon Ladies.

Friday night net practice at 6pm will soon be introduced and there will be friendlies played at Whitchurch.

Other players in this term's squad are: Jenny Kay, Gillian Northey, Josie Gerhold, Janet Simmons, Jessica Jackson, Clare Windermere, Gaynor Pollard, Sue Pilkington, Rebecca Sargent and Coralee Medland.

The club opens its league innings this Sunday at home to Ashburton.