ENGLAND Ladies’ captain Charlotte Edwards was on hand at Canford School to inspire the Woodroffe Under-13 girls’ team to achieve third place in the County Indoor Championships.

A record 31 teams entered the competition and Woodroffe won through to the finals after beating Sir John Colfox in the regional round.

In their opening match of the tournament, Woodroffe overcame Avonbourne by 30 runs.

In the eight overs available, Woodroffe scored an impressive 90 with unbeaten scores of 20 from Sophie Simpson and captain Lottie Rouse.

In reply, Avonbourne reached 62 in their allotted overs with Rouse taking two wickets for seven runs.

The result saw Woodroffe through to the semi-finals where they faced Bourne-mouth School for Girls.

Asked to bat first, the Woodroffe girls founds runs harder to make against a formidable bowling attack.

Only Abby Smith reached double figures. Her score of 13 included a fine six hit down the hall.

The team finished on a below par total of 55.

In reply, Bournemouth were always up with the run-rate and despite two more wickets for Rouse, they reached their target with one over to spare.

In the third/fourth play-off match against Lockyers school, Simpson and Rouse again put on an opening stand of 36 runs, but the latter part of the innings faltered and ended on 65.

However, with the England captain a spectator, the Wood-roffe bowlers set about their task with determination and effort.

Grace Croucher and Jess Jeffries both took vital wickets and Kelsey Ellis took a fine catch.

All the team fielded accurately and affected a number of run outs to finally dismiss Lock-yers for 37 to take the bronze medal.

The tournament was won by Parkstone School who beat BSG in the final.

All of the players received medals, certificates and words of encouragement from the England skipper, who urged them to continue practicing their skills, to keep playing the game and strive to become the best they possibly could.