Laura's the first girl to earn prestigious prize
Laura Tonks made history in April this year for a number of reasons.
The 14-year-old cricketer cracked an unbeaten century in Burton Latimer Ladies' first-ever league game as they recorded a victory over Charlbury.
And – not that she would have known it then – that superb knock has seen her become the first female recipient of a Lord's Taverners Centurions Award.
The youngster was presented with the award at a specially-arranged
ceremony at Hall Field by former England Women's captain and
president of The Lady Taverners Rachael Heyhoe-Flint.
The Centurions Award was introduced by the official charity for recreational cricket to recognise the achievement of all under-18s who hit a ton in an organised game.
The women's game – as has been well documented – is on a real high in
England at present.
And, while Tonks' achievement was down to a wonderful individual effort, it wasn't long before she heaped praise on those around her.
"I had a lot of support from my team-mates in the game," she said.
"They all hung around at the other end and we also won the game as well so it was a great start for our ladies team.
"I have been playing for five years and I got into it because I was playing in the garden with a friend from school and her dad was one of the coaches at Burton.
"He invited me along and here I am now. I have to say all the coaches
here are brilliant.
"It was really surreal when it first happened and then it sunk in after a couple of days. But the best thing was that we won the game and everyone helped. It was a big team effort."
Tonks admits the achievements of the England's women's team of late have been a big inspiration to her. And she is dreaming of the day she steps out for her country.
She added: "The way the England team have performed is a huge
inspiration. A couple of years ago it wasn't as high profile.
"But now they have been on Sky, we have won the World Cup and hold the Ashes.
"To play for them is always a dream but it's one of those things you have to work really hard for."
Her excellent achievement brought deserved praise from both Heyhoe-Flint and her club coach Kevin Odell.
Heyhoe-Flint said: "This award was a way of recognising the achievements of a club cricketer.
"Laura has done something fantastic and it's wonderful achievement when it does happen."
Odell added: "I am extremely proud. We have a great bunch of girls up here who work hard and play the game in the right spirit. They are competitive and want to win but they know what the game is about and take defeat on the chin when it comes around.
"Laura puts the effort in and there are a lot of coaches who have put a lot of work in with her and it has helped her to this excellent achievement."
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Weather for Kettering
Monday 13 February 2012
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