History has been made for Swardeston Cricket Club after its first female cricketer padded up and took to the field for the club in a competitive match.

April Herathge, daughter of long-time Swardeston player Sapumal, who is better known as Saffy, played for Swardeston CEYMS in Division Five of the Dipple & Conway Norfolk Cricket Alliance last Saturday.

Swardeston CEYMS took eight points from a home draw against Hethersett & Tas Valley, who claimed 18 league points after being bowled out for 218 and Swardeston finishing on 142-8.

Following the match 13-year-old April was awarded her first cap by club captain Peter Thomas, having come in to bat at number six, with her father still at the crease.

Saffy, originally from Sri Lanka, lives in Swardeston with his family and first started playing for the club in the late 1990s, but had left his cricket behind in recent seasons.

He has decided to start playing again this season and was there to support April as she scored her first run before being caught and bowled by Andy Baker in her first senior innings.

Stuart Bartram, Swardeston media officer, said: 'We are absolutely delighted that April became the first girl to take to the field for Swardeston in a league match. It was wonderful to see April play alongside her dad Saffy, who has been a fantastic player at Swardeston since the late 1990s.

'April is one of the girls now featuring in our growing girl section at Swardeston, which has been strengthened by the appointment of Katie Treutler as girls manager.'

The club is offering coaching for girls, of any ability between the ages of eight and 18, between 6.15pm and 8pm on Tuesdays at Swardeston.

For more information about the girls coaching sessions, contact Katie Treutler 07941 286154.

Have you got an interesting cricket story? Contact sports reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or email david.freezer@archant.co.uk