The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
In the long and respected history of Spalding Grammar School, a girl had never lined-up with its 1st XI cricket team.
But that changed last Wednesday when Milly Hastings made a little piece of history at the school.
Girls have been part of the Sixth Form at the boys’ school for about 40 years, but none had been selected for its top cricket side until medium-pace seam bowler Milly got the nod.
Her progress playing firstly at Moulton Harrox and, for the past four years, Long Sutton, got her noticed at county level and she now plays for Lincolnshire Under-18 Girls.
When the 17-year-old from Moulton Chapel switched from Spalding High School to the grammar school for her A-Level studies last autumn she harboured hopes of making the 1st XI.
Milly said: “I said to Mr Venables (Dave, director of sport) that if they needed me I would quite like to have a go.
“I heard that I’d been selected a couple of weeks ago and I was really pleased.
“Lots of the plaques in school show the history of cricket there so it’s great to be part of it.”
Dad Simon (56), a former Spalding Grammar pupil who enjoyed hockey and cross-country, said: “It’s quite an achievement and a proud moment for my wife Nicky and I.
“Whatever else happens for Milly, there will never be another first girl to play for the 1st XI.”
Milly’s involvement in cricket started as a ten-year-old.
“We were out at Burghley Park with some family friends playing catch and they said I had a good throw. It grew from there, really,” she said.
Unfortunately her first taste with the grammar school team ended in a seven-wicket defeat at The King’s School, Grantham, but Milly was happy with her contribution bowling and fielding.
Mr Venables said she is one of a group of excellent PE students in Year 12 and the department was thrilled with her selection.
He added: “We knew Milly had represented the county so had no worries in her playing at that level, and it is great she has the opportunity to play in the side.
“She has obviously been coached well at club and county level, as she demonstrated excellent fielding and bowling during the match. She will continue to play, and is an excellent role model for girls in sports participation at SGS.”
Milly, who is studying PE, psychology and geography, also plays hockey for Spalding Ladies’ 3rds and enjoys equestrianism.
