EXERTON U13s were crowned Devon champions of the revived Lady Taverners’ Softball competition.

The competition has not run for the past two years, but this season there was renewed enthusiasm all over Devon.

Parents and coaches from Sidbury to Sandford and Paignton to Plympton worked hard to get girls’ cricket at under-11 and under-13 level going at their clubs.

“It was fantastic to see it up and running this year,” said Exerton co-ordinator Tammi Vukusic.

The county competition started with the Pool A qualifier at Stover School, from which Exerton qualified ahead of Paignton and Kingsbridge.

Exerton is an amalgam name for a team comprised of players from Exeter and Thorverton.

Heathcoat were the winners in Pool B, which included hosts Sidbury and Sidmouth.

The final was played at Thorverton CC, where Exerton defeated Heathcoat by 72 runs.

There was also a festival for the under-11 sides, which was won by host club Ipplepen.

Kingsbridge were runners-up and Plympton’s team of enthusiastic rookies finished third.”