Chelmsford County High School for girls wins the inaugural Knight-Stokes cup

[essexfan548]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/cricket-knight-stokes-cup-state-schools-lords

"Heather Knight and Ben Stokes recorded video messages for pupils from Altrincham grammar school, John Hampden grammar school, Penistone grammar school and Chelmsford County high school before they competed in the boys? and girls? finals. The privileges did not stop there ? full use of the Pavilion dressing rooms, lunch and media duties made this a day to remember and inspire."

https://www.chelmsfordcityhub.co.uk/article/chelmsford-schoolgirls-history-cricket-victory-lords

"Pupils from Chelmsford County High School for Girls have made history at the Home of Cricket after winning the inaugural girls' Knight-Stokes Cup at Lord's.

The Chelmsford school defeated Penistone Grammar School of Yorkshire in the girls' final on Thursday 10 September, earning the distinction of becoming the first girls' champions of the new national competition for state schools.

The final was played on the Main Ground at Lord's, giving the young cricketers the opportunity to compete on one of the most famous sporting grounds in the world.

Chelmsford County High reached the showpiece match after progressing through county, regional and national stages of the new competition.

Their reward was a 3pm final against Penistone Grammar School and a full Lord's playing experience.

Players were able to use the Pavilion dressing rooms, eat in the Players' Dining Room and take part in media duties as part of an occasion designed to give state-school cricketers the experience normally associated with the highest levels of the game.

Chelmsford player Alex Goodey told The Guardian that she had been waiting for the occasion throughout the summer and described experiencing what previous players at Lord's had experienced as "incredible".

[Caughtright]

Many congratulations to the girls and to their coaches and all who have supported their progress, not forgetting parents. A fine achievement.

[Andy]

Clearly a great opportunity for those who attend posh schools. Not sure it addresses the issue of expanding interest amongst the wider population.

[essexfan548]

Clearly a great opportunity for those who attend posh schools. Not sure it addresses the issue of expanding interest amongst the wider population.

It's a state school - albeit selective but that does not mean it's posh!

[bobw]

Also, it is a cup for state schools

[Andy]

Clearly a great opportunity for those who attend posh schools. Not sure it addresses the issue of expanding interest amongst the wider population.

It's a state school - albeit selective but that does not mean it's posh!

No, it?s posh. As is AGS, albeit not as posh as Manchester Grammar School.

[essexfan548]

Have you ever been there? It certainly is not posh - MGS is fee-paying isn't it?

[Slogger]

I attended one of the country grammar schools in the north of the county. It was full of working class and lower middle class lads. Cricket was played in the summer term. At the end of my third year there it closed. I went to the newly formed comprehensive school. There were attempts to play cricket but it waa badly organised.

40 years on my son went to a grammar school in Southend. Again cricket was plsyed and taken seriously.

Without wanting to get into the rights and wrongs of selective education I have often wondered if the death of the grammar school in most of England is related to the increase in privately educated cricketers. It may not be the whole story but might be relevant.

Look at Illingworth's Ashes team in 70/71. Very few public schoolboys. A lot of grirty northern cricketers and people from ordinary backgrounds such as our very own Keith Fletcher.