A team of young female cricketers from Bolton have shot to national fame after winning a cricket final at Lord’s in dramatic style.

The team, all from local state schools, beat Guildford in the MCC Foundation Hubs Girls final at the home of cricket on Saturday after taking part in a 20-week programme run by MCC Foundation, aimed at giving young people from state schools more opportunities to play the sport and fulfil their cricketing potential.

The programme works with more than 3,000 young people every year in 74 locations and hubs across the country.

After Guildford went into bat and hit 108-7 in their 20 overs, Bolton secured victory in the last over thanks to a six from Emma Duerden.

Captain Megan Russell, who top scored with 37 runs (including a six of her own) won the player-of-the-match award to cap a memorable performance in front of former England men’s captains and MCCF Patrons, Mike Brearley and Mike Gatting and current Brazil women’s captain, Roberta Avery.

The team got the chance to follow in the footsteps of past and present cricketing greats by playing at Lord’s, not only gracing the famous pitch, but also using the pavilion dressing rooms and taking lunch in the players dining room.

Bolton reached the final of the knockout competition, which involved 74 teams across the country, by battling their way past teams from Liverpool, Manchester, York and Bradford.

Andy Compton, MCC Foundation Hubs manager, Bolton, said: “I’m so proud of them – they showed an amazing amount of resilience and character to come through and win.

“Girls need opportunities like this to play cricket and get the chance to experience something like today and the MCC Foundation Hubs project does that.”

Team captain Russell, added: “Winning the final, hitting my first ever six at Lord’s, being captain and getting player of the match are all things I’ll never forget.

“It’s been an incredible experience all round, from playing on the pitch to walking through the Long Room and using the home changing rooms that England use when they play at Lord’s.

“I don’t think I can put into words how proud I am of the team.

“We worked right till the end and all the training we put in has worked.”