Rainhill Women 1XI Crowned Division Two Champions 2026

History Made: Rainhill Women Crowned Division Two Champions

Rainhill Cricket Club’s women’s hardball team are Liverpool Competition Women’s Hardball Super 8s Division Two Champions 2026, completing a remarkable league campaign that showcased not only their ability on the pitch, but the spirit, togetherness and determination that has grown within the squad over the course of the season.

While Rainhill fielded a women’s hardball side in 2025, this was the first year the club established dedicated hardball and softball squads, giving players the opportunity to develop in their chosen format. That investment paid off immediately, with the hardball team producing a campaign that exceeded expectations and created another proud chapter in the club’s growing women’s section.

From Early Setback to Champions

The season didn’t begin with silverware in sight. An opening defeat to Northern served as an early learning experience for a team still finding its feet together. Rather than dwelling on the disappointment, the squad responded brilliantly. From that point on, Rainhill remained unbeaten, putting together a superb six-match winning run to secure the Division Two title and promotion to Division One.

Each victory brought greater confidence. Winstanley Park were swept aside with a dominant all-round performance before Rainhill travelled to Ormskirk and produced one of the displays of the season, restricting the hosts to a net score of just 174 before powering to an outstanding net score of 381, the team’s highest of the campaign. Victories followed against Fleetwood Hesketh, Merseyside Ladies and Old Xaverians, with every game reinforcing the growing belief that this was a side capable of achieving something special.

Everything came down to the final league fixture at Maghull. Rainhill knew that victory would secure the championship. The response summed up everything this team had become. The bowlers applied relentless pressure, reducing Maghull to just 58 runs while taking eight wickets, before the batters calmly guided Rainhill to a winning net score of 279, sealing the Division Two title.

A Young Team Growing Together

One of the defining features of Rainhill’s title-winning season was that success never rested on one individual. Every player made important contributions, whether with bat, ball or in the field, creating a genuine team effort from the opening fixture to the title-clinching win.

Captain Sarah Curlett and wicketkeeper Niamh Scarborough provided the backbone of the batting throughout the campaign, both passing 100 league runs while leading the side with consistency and composure. Alongside them, Lucy Strettle, Emily Lowrie, Jessica McKenzie, Annabelle Clifford, Sarah Lawler, April Jones and Erin Jones all produced valuable performances that helped Rainhill maintain their unbeaten run after the opening fixture. Whenever the squad needed additional players, Lucy Williams, Kerry Lawler, Sue Lowrie, Scarlett Ashton-Smith, Lisa Clarke and Olivia Clifford stepped in seamlessly, underlining the strength, depth and togetherness that has developed throughout the women’s section.

Sarah Curlett led superbly throughout the campaign, contributing consistently with both bat and ball while setting the standards on and off the field. She finished the league season with more than 150 runs, including three unbeaten innings over 20, while also taking important wickets in crucial moments and leading a young side with confidence, calmness and belief.

Behind the stumps, Niamh Scarborough enjoyed an outstanding campaign, providing consistency with the bat and assurance with the gloves, while Lucy Strettle made valuable contributions with both bat and ball. Emily Lowrie also made an important contribution throughout the season, adding valuable runs in the middle pairings and bringing experience to a young squad whose togetherness and team spirit became a hallmark of the champions.

The future of the team is incredibly exciting.
Sarah Lawler (13) was one of the leagues most effective bowlers. The leg-spinner consistently troubled batters with her accuracy, flight and control, producing memorable spells of 4 for 9 against Old Xaverians and 3 wickets in the championship-deciding victory at Maghull, while also contributing valuable runs lower down the order.

Annabelle Clifford (13) established herself as one of Rainhill’s most dependable new-ball bowlers, repeatedly building pressure with economical opening spells while adding important runs at the top of the order. 

April Jones (15) announced herself in style with a superb 37 from just 15 balls against Old Xaverians and an unbeaten 28 at Ormskirk.

Erin Jones (13) proved to be another key member of Rainhill’s young bowling attack, producing consistently economical spells throughout the season and claiming a memorable hat-trick against Ormskirk, while also contributing valuable runs and fielding with great energy.

Another wonderful story has been Jessica McKenzie, who is only in her second season of playing cricket. Whether batting, bowling or fielding, Jess embraced every challenge and made important contributions throughout the campaign, perfectly reflecting the enthusiasm, determination and willingness to learn that runs through this squad.

Champions Are Built in the Field

While the runs and wickets naturally grab the headlines, Rainhill’s fielding was every bit as important. Sharp catching, energetic ground fielding and excellent communication repeatedly put opposition sides under pressure, turning half chances into wickets and saving valuable runs.

Whether it was direct-hit run outs, smart stumpings from Niamh Scarborough or players throwing themselves around to stop boundaries, the commitment shown in the field became one of Rainhill’s greatest strengths. The bowlers were backed brilliantly throughout the season, and it was often the team’s energy, discipline and willingness to work for one another that proved the difference in key moments.

Perhaps the biggest statistic of all, however, is that after losing the opening fixture, Rainhill did not lose another game, whether league or cup.

One Club

Success on the pitch is only possible because of the people behind it, and the players would like to thank their parents and families for the countless hours spent travelling to matches, supporting from the boundary and encouraging the team throughout the summer. The support from club members and spectators, both home and away, has also played a huge part in making this such an enjoyable season.

The squad would also like to thank Julie Foulkes for the enormous amount of work involved in organising fixtures, along with the scorers whose efforts are so important at every match. A special thank you also goes to Alex Winiarski, Rainhill’s first team wicketkeeper, who gave his time on Monday evenings throughout the season to help coach at training. His knowledge, encouragement and enthusiasm have helped every player continue to develop and grow in confidence.

The Story Continues

Although the league title has now been secured, this memorable season is not over. Rainhill will face Sefton Park in the Women’s Super 8s Plate Final on 16 August, giving this outstanding group the opportunity to complete an already historic campaign with a second trophy.

Whatever happens in the final, these players have already made their mark on Rainhill Cricket Club. They have shown what can be achieved through hard work, friendship and belief, while helping lay the foundations for an exciting future for women’s hardball cricket at Rainhill.