Report by T.Haworth
Back to back Home Counties titles for the mighty Mavericks!
It’s often said that winning a title is one thing, but keeping hold of it is actually the truest test of a champion’s status. Having won the Home Counties Women’s Cricket Premier League in 2024, that was precisely the challenge facing Moreton Mavericks this year. Based in the tiny village of North Moreton, known mainly for The Bear pub (a Maverick sponsor, along with local estate agent Singleton & Daughter) & its 167 year old cricket club, the giant killers have returned with another premiership title, defeating their much bigger cousins from Beaconsfield, Binfield, Charlbury, Newbury, Oxford, Stony Stratford & Thame. The Mavericks recruited a 21 year old New Zealander, as their first ever overseas player, to prepare for the inevitably fierce challenge that awaits reigning champs. Competition in the league this year was indeed noticeably strong, with no soft contests and in fact every team lost at least 3 times in the 14 match programme.
Maverick’s skipper, Georgia Haworth cited squad depth as a significant factor in their achievement: “Huge thanks & congratulations to the 35 Girls who represented the club in the Premier league this season and with several injuries to key players, we were very grateful to have that extra capacity at our disposal, making it very much a squad success this Summer.”
Moreton Cricket Club President Mike Howat was also fulsome in his praise: “We were all delighted at Moreton to see the Mavericks retain their Home Counties Women’s Premier League title. As a small village club we continue to punch above our weight in this competition and great credit goes to captain Georgia Haworth and her squad.”
With Thame Town taking some notable scalps in the Premier league and near neighbours Steventon also winning a Division 2 title, confirmation that female cricket in South Oxfordshire is certainly thriving.The Mavs also picked up the GU18 county title this year, indicating that their talent pathway is in rude health; preparations for 2026 are already well underway!
If you would like to join or help the Mavericks, where all ages & ability are catered for, please visit https://moretoncc.org/ for more information, or contact Tim Haworth (Coach/ Manager) direct [email protected]