THE first ever ladies' side at a long-established cricket club won their maiden game yesterday (Sunday).

The Woodford Wells Cricket Club, which was founded in 1865, set up the side after pressure from women in the tennis and hockey clubs, who vowed to give it a go after watching the men's team.

The team, dubbed the Wells Belles, beat Wanstead Ladies at Monkhams Lane by 244 runs to 243 and coach Mark Webb said he could not have been more proud of them.

“We're over the moon,” he said. “They needed two runs on the last bowl and they got it perfectly.

“Every one of the Woodford girls did themselves, their coach and every single Woodford Wells member proud.”

The ladies had just 10 weeks of practice and the deciding runs were clocked up by Jo Everett and Anna Feldman, who Mr Webb said was the most nervous player before the match.

“They have made Wells history and started something that I'm sure will grow bigger and even stronger in the future,” he added.