Kent Women have become only the second county side in the history of women’s cricket to secure a 10th domestic league title after the Horses lifted the Women’s London Championship.

The Horses won the WLC by 12 points this summer with Essex, Sussex and Surrey unable to complete their final round of matches and catch Kent.

Kent Women head coach, Dave Hathrill, says the side have "surpassed all expectations" and backed them to become a force in the coming years.

In recognition of their 10th league title, Kent Women’s playing shirts will feature a star above the Kent crest, signifying the achievement.

Earlier this summer, Kent Women won the South East T20 trophy and have now added to their trophy collection.

Hathrill said: “I’m so proud of this team and what they’ve achieved this season.

“To win two trophies is outstanding, the squad has completely surpassed all expectations put on them at the start of this season.

"I can see this squad becoming a real force in the county game in the next seasons to come, and I hope that a lot of regional centres have taken notice of the young talent that we have here at Kent.”

After Kent’s first league title in the Women’s Area Championship in 1986, the Horses won the Women’s County Championship in 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, the last Championship of 2019, and now the WLC of 2021.

The Horses have won all but one of their completed matches in this calendar year, using a squad of 19 players – 17 of which are home-grown talents.

Megan Sturge, 16, and 14-year-old Jemima Spence recorded an opening stand of 70 runs in the Horses’ eight-wicket win over Middlesex, Spence also scoring 66 on debut against Sussex.

Also against Sussex, Megan Belt took 3-21, with good bowling performances from youngsters Sydney Gorham (2-10) and Alexa Stonehouse (2-13) also helping secure a 110-run victory.

Maxine Blythin hit 94 from 106 in that match after Susie Rowe struck 63 from 65 deliveries on matchday one against Essex, before Kirstie Gordon helped seal that victory with 4-23.

Helen Fagg, women’s and girls’ programme manager, said: “We have such a high proportion of home-grown players in this successful side and that is not least down to the hard work of all the county age group and talent pathway coaches and staff that are extremely dedicated and talented in what they do.

“I’d also like to extend special thanks to Lin Martin, our matchday manager, for not only being our Women’s scorer, but also in making sure our matchdays run as smoothly as possible.”

Kent director of cricket Paul Downton said: “Everyone at the club, including the men’s squad, our coaches, support staff and administrative staff is extremely proud of the achievements of Kent Women this year.

“I’d like to congratulate all of the players, Dave, Helen and all the support staff on behalf of everyone else in the Kent Cricket family.”

It comes after the men's side won the T20 Vitality Blast at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Read more: All the latest sports news from Kent