Article contributed by Richard Walsh
PAST and present came together for a special occasion when Somerset Women played their opening match of the season against Yorkshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
The first Somerset Former Women’s Cricketers’ Lunch took place in the Long Room and provided a fitting backdrop to the day’s action as some familiar faces from across the years gathered.
Lucy Turner, who played for Somerset in the early 2000s, said: “The day was spent catching up with each other, sharing memories, stories, and plenty of laughter, while reflecting on how far the women’s game has progressed.
“The occasion carried added significance given the modern structure of the women’s domestic game, with the Women’s Metro Bank One Day Cup competition representing the top tier of 50-over cricket in England. Yorkshire’s presence also marked their step up into Tier 1 cricket this season, underlining the continued growth of the competition.
“Most of us watching had played in the old County Championship which took place over a week in Cambridge every summer!
The past players were also treated to a tour of the Somerset Cricket Museum’s new impressive exhibition of women’s cricket over the years.
Pictured, left to right, Jodie Filer, Georgina Adcock, Kiri Purssey, Lucy Turner, Judy Wilmot, Helen Davies, Lisa Crampton and Hannah Thompson-Radford. (Contributed)
Out in the middle, the current Somerset side produced a performance worthy of the occasion and in a tense, low-scoring contest, they edged past Yorkshire, chasing down 179 with just one wicket left.
Lucy added: “Days like this underline what makes county cricket special. It is not just about results, but about community, heritage, and continuity. At Taunton, over lunch and on the field, Somerset women’s cricket honoured it’s past while celebrating a thrilling present.
Thanks go to David Gurr for organising the occasion, Mike Unwin for the museum tour and to Chief£ Executive Jamie Cox for the invite to the Long Room.”
As a postscript to the above, Lisa Crampton (nee Padgett) posted on LinkedIn:-
“ In my playing days there was very little knowledge, awareness and support of Somerset County Women (this was the norm in most counties) so it is a much appreciated gesture that the foundations of the women’s game are being recognised and interwoven with the game we see today. The worlds looked very different, but there is a thread that joins us all.
There is now a really impressive women’s cricket section in the Somerset Cricket Museum which charts the history of the women’s game (my playing days), the international game (my brilliant teammates achievements) and the journey to professionalism (my Western Storm chapter). Thank you to Mike Unwin and all who have diligently spent time capturing the history.
The support that wasn’t there in my time was a big driver in my professional ventures to change the cricket landscape for females for the better. It is lovely to stay connected to the Somerset journey in its ‘Tier 1’ chapter. Things have come a really long way.
I feel grateful for the memories and the people I shared the journey with – both on and off the field.”
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