Harpenden Cricket Club’s U11 Girls’ team have made it a hat-trick of County titles.

They came away with a 33-run win against St Albans to claim the crown for the third year in a row.

Amy Baxter and Hannah Burns got the team off to a good start scoring 218 for the loss of just one wicket.

Second pair Lucy Evans and Rachel Ball, picked up the pace with some excellent, big hitting taking the score up to 244.

Hannah Booth and Lotta Gates continued the momentum, losing just one wicket and taking the score up to 262.

It was left to Caitlin Maclaren and Sasha Bowler, to face the best of the St Albans bowling, again though they lost just the one wicket and were able to take the score onto a very healthy 279 at the close.

Two wickets in the first 2 overs of the St Albans innings, one a run out and one clean bowled by Evans, gave Harpenden just the start they wanted.

Excellent tight bowling, especially from Gates and Baxter meant St Albans continued to fall behind the required rate.

However, some good hitting and running from the last pair meant nerves became a little frayed.

But more good bowling at the end meant the girls were soon able to start celebrating.

A spokesman for the club said: “I was an entertaining game played in great spirit to cap off a great season.

“With over 60 girls of all ages now playing regularly, girls’ cricket is in fantastic shape at Harpenden CC.

“And although only eight girls played in the county final, over 20 played in the league games, a brilliant effort from all the squad.”