Head coach James Hockley praised Kent Women after they reached their first Women’s Vitality Blast League Two Finals Day.
The Horses won their last four group matches and watched on as results went their way at the weekend.
Kent finished second in the group and will meet Gloucestershire in the semi-finals at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens this Sunday (12noon). Group winners Glamorgan will face the winners in the final at 4pm.
“We put ourselves in a position where we needed to win four in a row to give ourselves a chance to get to finals day,” said Hockley.
“They played some fantastic cricket over the last four or five weeks.
“Sunday was a nerve-wracking day, knowing that Gloucestershire needed to have a big win, a big bonus-point win, and a swing of the net run rate to get above us. Then Middlesex needed a bonus-point win against Sussex as well.
“So, the results went in our favour and we’ve managed to get to finals day, which is brilliant. I’m incredibly proud.
“Decisions that people make in T20 games are so fractional. So, for us to get over the line in that Northants game was huge. We got very nervous trying to chase just 100.
“But I think the game we played against Derbyshire on Friday night was really good. We showed a bit of character to come out and play with a bit more freedom, a bit more intensity and get over the line.”
After a mixed campaign last summer, Kent are finding their feet at Tier 2. Hockley is pleased with the improvements made across the board.
“I think last year was a real learning curve for all of us, not just coaching staff or players,” he said. “Everyone in the club was trying to find their feet in Tier 2.
“We had a really good winter. We recruited really well, got some good players in, some good youngsters coming through, and gave them a bit of a structure around how we wanted to play.
“The girls have worked really hard. I’m absolutely thrilled for them because they’ve put so much work in to get to this point. Now they’ve been rewarded with a finals day.
“They are absolutely thrilled and the work they’ve put in, they deserve to be thrilled. I’ve just said to them all, now we’ve got a chance at silverware.
“We’ve got a chance to win something and get something back, which would be amazing compared to where we were last year.
“What we’ve done really well so far is given the girls some structure behind their game.
“Our powerplay has been really structured, our fielding positions have been more structured, our batting innings have become more structured.
“There’s a lot more thinking behind the scenes that’s gone into it and given them a bit more clarity in their roles. But I think, more than anything else, it’s them having the understanding and the confidence to just go out there and execute their skills.
“They’ve got the confidence now that we can go out and win games of cricket.”
The campaign has seen Kent play Middlesex at Lord’s and while the result didn’t go their way on the day, it still proved a memorable occasion.
“It was an incredible experience,” added Hockley. “For everyone, the whole support staff, everyone being at Lord’s, the home of cricket, was just something else.
“I think for some of the girls that was the first time ever they’ve been to Lord’s, even to watch.
“The whole day was an incredible one and two years ago they would never have had that opportunity. The women’s game is moving forward in the right direction.
“The skills are now catching up and the performances are catching up.”
Kent’s members have certainly got behind the Horses. Hockley says their support is even more evident compared to other counties.
“The support has been great at Canterbury,” he stated. “Every time we play, there’s been a great crowd to watch us.
“It’s a testament to them, actually, because the girls have been nervous about playing in front of people before, but they’re getting accustomed to it and they’re used to it.
“It just shows how good our supporters are, because when we go to other counties, their members don’t turn up for some of our games.
“It shows that our members are really invested in our games and that’s been a massive help for us.”
