SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA - SANDHURST DIVISION

Intermediate Girls Cricket

With dew on the grass and the promise of a fast outfield. Captain Sienna Barnett won the toss and elected to bat in our first game against Marist College, Bendigo.

Macey White and Evie Gretgrix opened the batting and settled in quickly, looking comfortable at the crease and ready for a long day with the bat. Both eventually retired to give our next batters the chance to experience that glorious feeling of middling one straight out of the screws. Vice-captain Macey White top-scored with an unbeaten 53*, while Sienna Barnett came in at first drop and compiled a tidy 48 runs. The team finished with an impressive 160 runs from their 15 overs.

It was too close to split bowlers Evie Gretgrix, Zare Mould and Macey White, who all finished with two wickets apiece. A special mention to Sienna Barnett, whose very first delivery of the innings drew a collective "woooahh" from the Marist dugout before backing it up by taking a wicket with her second ball.

The second game was against Crusoe College, a side the girls knew would require patience with the bat and a disciplined effort in the field. Once again, CMCB were sent in to bat first. Evie Gretgrix showed excellent composure against the new ball, while Macey White got off to another strong start before falling to a very close run-out decision. Mia Behrens contributed valuable runs through the middle order, helping the team post a total of 72 runs.

The girls were eager to get the ball in hand and challenge their strong top order. Sienna Barnett struck an important blow in the third over, and if we could show you the run worm graph, you'd see just how tight the contest was throughout. The scores remained neck-and-neck from over to over. Unfortunately, a couple of dropped chances and a standout innings from Crusoe's number two batter proved the difference. Crusoe eventually reached the target with 12 balls to spare, handing us a narrow defeat.

Despite the result, the girls showed fantastic determination and competitiveness throughout the day, with plenty of positives to take into the next round.

A big thank you to Mr Van Dorsser, James Lenaghan and Param Thakar for umpiring and scoring for the team on the day.

Mrs Nat West, Coach

TEAM: Etta Place, Paige Kristiansen, Indie Kramer, Zara Mould, Mia Behrens, Imogen Brown, Lilly Teuma, Mrs Nat Westm, Sienna Raco, Evie Gretgrix, Elle Gilchrist, Macey White, Sienna Barnett, Bella Cail