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Machen Cricket Club has celebrated its first female cricket festival, with hopes to continue growing the game in the area.

In their first season, the women’s and girls’ side of the club has grown from nothing to 18 members, the youngest of which being 12-years-old.

To celebrate an “amazing” first season, the club decided to host a female cricket festival, where it invited Porth, Whitchurch, and Tredegar to play a day of cricket at Machen Welfare Ground, know locally as the Rec.

Captain of the female side, Kaye Knox, spoke to Caerphilly Observer about the event: “It was a fantastic day. My husband and son both play for the men’s side so it was very special for me coming onto the pitch and tossing the coin.

“We [Machen] had been practicing all summer so we were a bit nervous. Some of the club’s have been playing together for longer so we didn’t expect much, but we did manage to win a game which was great.”

Knox went on to say how dozens of spectators showed up, including the whole of the men’s section of the club who helped out with food and drinks on a hot September afternoon.

She continued: “There were over 30 players who showed up and the mood during and after the games was so nice to see. It was all for fun and a great chance to network with other clubs from the area.

“There were even people who stopped and watched, who we’ve since recruited to play with us regularly. We’ll be superstars by next May”, Knox joked.

The 52-year-old added that the women’s and girls’ side itself is going from strength-to-strength – to her surprise.

She said: “When we first started it up I wasn’t sure it was for me or for anyone else, but having played all summer none of us want to stop.

“We have some great players too who are going to play with the reserve boys’ side next season which will be a great experience for them.

“The season is over now but we’ll be playing every Friday night until the sun stops us and from there we’ll play indoors through the winter.

“We’re really looking to build momentum and see the game grow in Caerphilly with another festival next summer.”

For more information on how to join, visit Machen Cricket Club’s Facebook page.