Girls are LMR cricket champions

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA – LODDON MALLEE REGION FINALS

CRICKET

Year 8 and Intermediate Girls played terrific cricket in Swan Hill and both teams have qualified for the Quarter Finals to be played in Bendigo in November.

Year 8 Girls

On a stunning day in Swan Hill the Year 8 Girls Cricket Team were keen to continue with the good form that they produced against Marist College Bendigo in the Sandhurst Division Rounds.

In the first game, the girls took to the field against Echuca College. In a brilliant start, Dempsey McDonnell took an early wicket and Layla O’Brien followed suit to claim another wicket putting Echuca two down within the first few overs. Echuca tried to steady, but the good bowling from CMC continued as Grace, Lexie, Zoe and Chella all took wickets consistently throughout the innings to keep Echuca’s run total at bay. Echuca managed to bat out their 14 overs, finishing on 6/49.

Dempsey and Madi Morrison then opened the batting for CMC with confidence. Their shot selection was great, and they both eventually retired after their allocated allowance of balls was up. Layla, Lexi, Rania and Madeline then all contributed with the bat as the girls went on to score a brilliant win, finishing their 14 overs at 1/75. It was a terrific performance for the first game, and the girls had now set themselves up for a chance of winning the day.

Game 2 was against Irymple Secondary College. Once again, the girls bowled first and were on their game early. It was another brilliant display as the girls again bowled and fielded with class. They effected a number of runouts and captured a number of wickets on the back of terrific bowling and teamwork. All players contributed incredibly well in this innings as Irymple struggled to score runs and were eventually bowled out with their score on 39.

The run chase by CMC was all class. Dempsey and Maddi once again started brilliantly as they set the team up for the win. Chella, Zoe and Eden then guided the team home to finish with a terrific score of 84. This win secured the girls the title of Loddon Mallee Champions and qualified them for the State Quarter Finals to be played in Bendigo on Friday 17 November.

Special thanks to Tom Smith and Finn Millar for scoring on the day, and Mr Bryce Curnow for umpiring.

TEAM: Madi Morrison, Rania Jackson-Leahy, Lexie Fennell, Stephanie Ingram, Dempsey McDonnell, Chella Fitzgerald, Grace Clark, Madeline White, Layla O’Brien, Zoe Reynolds, Eden Howes

Intermediate Girls

On Tuesday 24 October, the Intermediate Girls team ventured to Swan Hill for the Loddon Mallee Region Finals. The girls’ first match was against Echuca College. They won the toss and elected to bowl first, despite the wet wicket, as they were keen to unleash their quality bowling attack on their opponents.

Sienna Barnett and Meg O’Callaghan both bowled the first few overs with plenty of pace, leaving Echuca with limited opportunities to score. The only runs off the bat were those from nicks that raced past and out of reach of the keeper and slips. Meg finally broke the wickets apart to secure the first of the day with Echuca on 14. Maddie and Maeve, continued with the pace onslaught, as Echuca found it difficult to get bat onto ball. Milla Finch then came into the attack with immediate effect. She took three quick wickets in her first two overs, with beautiful line and length bowling. Add in a great runout from Meg and Immy, plus two late wickets to Sienna and Echuca finished at 7/44 off their 14 overs.

The batting innings started off with a small hiccup, as Meg went out early for just 6. Isabella (10) and Sienna (21) then steadied the ship, as both batted brilliantly to win the game for the girls inside 10 overs. The match however was played out, as it was a chance to give all the girls a go. Evie, Milla and Imogen were also able to add runs to the scoresheet as the girls finished their innings at 6/76 to secure a great first-up win.

Game 2 was against Chaffey Secondary College. Meg once again won the toss and elected to bowl. The second time around in the field and with the ball was brilliant and exceptional. The pace attack had their opposition in all sorts of trouble as the girls destroyed any confidence the Chaffey batters had. Meg started the wicket destruction by bowling one of Echuca’s opening batters with the score on 5. Maddie then bowled two ripping balls to get two wickets in her second over, and Maeve carved it up finishing with four wickets. Meg forced a run out with Immy, Isabella bowled a cracker to get her first wicket and Jemma rounded out the innings bowling the perfect delivery to secure the eighth “bowled” dismissal for the innings. Chaffey finished their time at bat to be all out for 32. Once again, it was an incredible performance by all players!

The batting innings this time was flawless. Meg (17*) and Immy (13*) played some incredible shots to secure the win in just four overs at 0/34.

Special thanks to Samuel Scott who scored for the team on the day, and Mrs Sharna Frawley for attending the day. It was an incredible day, as the girls secured the Loddon Mallee Championship with class. They now go on the play in the State Quarter Finals on Thursday 2 November in Bendigo. Good luck girls.

TEAM: Mrs Maree Pearce (Coach), Sienna Barnett, Milla Finch, Isabella Monotti, Evie Nuttall, Jemma McDougall, Maeve Caine, Samuel Scott (scorer), Zahli Waugh, Meg O’Callaghan, Madeline Best, Imogen McLarty, Charlotte Ermel