Somerset Women’s and Girl’s Team Photographs

The photograph below was taken at the England players (Men & Women) cap presentation set up by Andrew Strauss, believed to be in 2017.The players below are 7 out of the 10 Bath/Somerset players who attended.

L-R Fran Wilson, Jackie Hawker, Kathryn Wilkins, Jan Godman, Hannah Knight, Katharine Winks and Anya Shrubsole. Sarah Collyer, Laura Harper, Steph Davies didn’t attend.

Taken in 2002 at the u15 County Championship semi-final against Kent. Jan Godman’s mother, Pat, is on the left. The others are. Back row, left to right; Jenny Withers, Bethan Smith, Annie Riccio (capt), Charlotte King, Katherine Feather, Hannah Williams, Lucy Allison (coach). Front row; Suzanne Powell, Anya Shrubsole, Liz Tilley, Laura Gladman, Kiri Purssy, Kayleigh Smart (12th).

Taken in 2004 a photo of the Somerset Girls U15 team, having won a trophy at a week long, residential County Development Tournament, in Hampshire.

It was a young side. Left of picture in maroon top is Lisa Pagett. Current Director of Western Storm. The then England player presenting the trophy, and in her England kit ( 4th from right) is Beth Morgan. Team manager/coach on the right is Lucy Allison. In the shadow somewhat next to Lisa is Frances Wilson (aged 12 or 13). 

Taken c.2005, possibly 2006 the photo below features Tamara Gould ( back row, second from left) – she only played for these two seasons.

Back Row: Lucy Allison (manager & player), Tamara Gould (wk), Helen Davies, Laura Harper, Hannah Lloyd (c), Anya Shrubsole, Steph Davies, Richard Askew (coach)

Front Row: Jenny Withers, Coleen Ashbee, Jackie Hawker, Beth Howe, Liz Tilley

It is believed that these are the correct names (at that time, as some have subsequently married and changed names). Anya was the youngest, probably around aged 13, Beth was 16, Jenny 17, Liz, Steph & Tamara 18, Coleen 19.

In the two photos below Laura Gladman is bowling in the nets against the Australia women’s team, in 2005 during a County U15s tournament/festival at Christ’s Hospital School in Sussex. The Aussie team were in the UK preparing for the Ashes series that summer, and training at the school. Is the foreground is Aussie fast bowler Kathryn Fitzpatrick (still regarded as the fastest female bowler of all time).

In the second photo, Laura Gladman (in Somerset whites), is preparing for the same nets session against the Aussie women. Four bowlers were selected from the Counties playing at the Tournament. Two others in the picture, in blue tops and caps, were Devon players. The player in the centre is Heather Knight. The one missing from the photo was Daisy Gardner (Hampshire player, we think).

From 2007. An U19 Somerset girls team (though mostly younger and in one case much younger.) This team includes Frances Wilson. She would have been aged 15 at that time.

Anya Shrubsoles’ younger sister, Lauren, is featured. She must have been 13 or so then, and the youngest in this team. Both Frances and Lauren went on to play many times for Somerset Women.

Weather was a problem in 2007. They were supposed to play 4x 50 over matches, but only one was completed, against Essex. Frances scored a half century, and Laura Gladman’s bowling figures were 9 overs 2 for 20. They also played a T20 game against Cornwall.

Notice the kit differences: Typically, the girls teams did not wear sponsored kit. And Sophie is wearing their usual kit. However, in 2007 the women’s team were wearing the Marston sponsored kit. The Pegasus sponsored kit was in the process of taking precedent, maybe the men were wearing this kit?