Ramsbottom women: Lancashire League newcomers on ‘bridging gap’ after first win

One game in and they have already begun to demonstrate that, despite losing two of their top five – including skipper Sophie Ullah – with anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

With many of the team having come through the junior sides, that meant Johnson, at 19, was their most senior player.

Whether the young side can continue winning remains to be seen but, ultimately, that was not why they joined the league.

Jones’ message to her team before the Accrington game was simple: go and have fun.

“That is what it really is all about, improving our skills, enjoying it, and if we win, it’s a bonus for us,” she said.

Johnson added: “Some results would be nice, but as long as we’re all improving, that’s all that matters.”

That is not to say that the importance of the team’s achievement is lost on them, though.

“It’s highly significant as to where women’s cricket has got to, and is going to,” said Collier.

In taking Ramsbottom’s first wicket and hitting the winning runs, Johnson has already done better than most in terms of making Lancashire League history – but the goal is that in years to come Ramsbottom remain the first, rather than the only.

“It’s great that we’ve obviously made the first step,” added Johnson. “And it’d be amazing to see all the teams that then also make the step, and to bridge the gap between the male and female sides of the game.”