CHEW Valley Cricket Club staged its first-ever end-of-season cricket festival — and it proved historic for the women of Temple Cloud Cricket Club.

Twelve of the club’s players made the trip to Chew Valley, rounding off their debut season with passion, determination and, most importantly, their first-ever victories on the pitch.

Over four competitive matches, the women secured two wins and proudly finished third overall. Not bad for a squad who, just a few months ago, had never played cricket and had only five short training sessions — a total of five hours — to learn the ropes.

What makes the story even more remarkable is how it all began: a group of women who did not know each other at the start of the summer have now gelled into a team full of energy, support, and spirit.

Their hard work and camaraderie shone through at Chew Valley, where their performances drew plenty of praise from organisers and fellow teams alike.

The festival itself marked an important milestone for women’s cricket in the region, showcasing the game’s rapid growth and the appetite for more opportunities.

And for Temple Cloud, the journey is only just beginning. Next season, captain Lauren Curtis will lead the women into the softball league — another first for TCCC — as they prepare for their first full campaign.

The wins at Chew Valley may have been their first, but they certainly won’t be their last.

Adding to the sense of history, the Temple Tigers made the trip to Somerset for the county finals and were given the honour of acting as guards of honour. It was another unforgettable moment for the club, underlining just how far Temple Cloud has come — and how bright the future looks for the club and women’s cricket.