A CATCH off the final ball gave Herefordshire Under-13 Girls a nail-biting victory at the Malvern College Cricket Tournament.

The Prep Schools Girls Indoor Cricket competition hosted at Malvern College featured some strong county players in the opposition from Shropshire and Worcestershire.

Herefordshire started on the front foot winning their opening three games against Abberley Hall, Birchfield School and Malvern Downs.

They met a tough Malvern Downs side again in the final and in a fast-paced, nail-biting game, it all came down to the last ball, with Herefordshire needing one more wicket and Malvern needing two more runs.

In front of a tense crowd, Holly Brookes-Owen – who had bowled impressively throughout the tournament - took her last ball.

It was a full delivery, hit over the bowlers head towards mid on. Running around from her position at mid-off, Ava Creese took a fantastic catch, winning the game – and the tournament for Herefordshire.

Reflecting on the match, coach Anna Robertson said: "It was a fantastic day and it was great to see so many girls enjoying cricket.

"All of the games we played were challenging but the girls just got better and better with each match.

"This was down to all of the hard work they have been putting in over the winter in our winter training programme and it was so good to see skills and teamwork coming together. "I can’t wait to see what the season will bring us a team."