Downey, who played first grade for the Penrith Cricket Club this season, was part of the Country Thunder team which contested the under 18s female state challenge, run from April 17-18.

In her team’s first game against the Country Breakers, which they won by three runs at Raby Oval two, Downey claimed 3/9 from her four overs.

After a bye in round two, the Thunder continued their strong play in round three, defeating the Country Sixers by nine runs – with Downey finishing with 0/11 from her three overs.

Downey was joined in the under 18s Country Thunder side by Emma Ross, Grace Dignam, Janet King, Alisha Bates, Alyssa Ford, Milly Riley, Jordan Anderson, Abbey Taylor, Issabella Savelli, Karina McEwan, Emma Hughes and Sarah Young.

Not to be outdone was Rudd, who was playing in the Country Sixers side at the under 15s girls state challenge – also held at Raby.

Rudd’s Sixers side played three games over the two days, losing to both the Metro Sixers and Metro Thunder before tying with the Country Thunder – a match which saw Rudd claim 1/26 and make 27 runs.

Rudd was joined by Zoe Delimihalis, Eliza Heinecke, Josephine Pearce, Emelia Kavanagh, Isabella Cameron, Alana McEnearney, Deni Baker, Katie Letcher, Holly Simmons, Taquayla Dawson, Clare Webber and Brianna Venables in the under 15s Country Sixers side.