Inaugural NDJCA Sixers Girls Cricket League gets under way

An enthusiastic (and slightly nervous) group of girls turned up at Cooma Oval on Saturday morning to try their hand at something new as the four-week Sixers Girls Cricket League began.

The four teams, aptly named after current Australian female cricketers, took the fields with each batting pair facing four overs.

One of the matches saw the Perrys take on the Healeys.

The Perrys opened solidly with Molly Crockett (18) and Josie Harvey (11) making 29 runs before Chelsey Stait (5) and Stella Laws (4) put on nine together.

A further 15 runs were added by Imogen Lubke-Wood (6) and Harper Ferris (9).

The Perrys finished with eight wickets down during their innings.

Bowling was contained mostly to the pitch.

Most of the Healeys took a wicket or two each, with the best figures going to Lelaini Smith who took 2-7 off her two overs and Ali Murray who finished with 2-9.

The Healeys opened their batting with Juliet Maxwell smashing 21 runs, who was well-supported by Sarah Smith (8).

Ali Murray (6) and Leilani Smith (6) were not backward in stepping down the wicket to attack the ball.

The final partnership was between Martha Barton (11) and Leairah Smith (7).

The Perry team combined to take 15 wickets (three wickets each to Molly, Josie, Stella and Harper) which gave them the higher average and the win for the day.

Samantha Murray and Charlie Tout preparing to bat in their new Sixers uniforms. Samantha Murray and Charlie Tout preparing to bat in their new Sixers uniforms.

Taryn Kirk, right, with her mum Jen Kirk. Taryn Kirk, right, with her mum Jen Kirk.

Elsie Barton, right, with her mum Erin Barton. Elsie Barton, right, with her mum Erin Barton.

The other match saw the Gardners play against the Lannings.

The Gardners strode out to the pitch eager to start their first innings.

With some gentle mentoring and encouragement, Olivia Shields (7) and Tilly Gleeson (8) then swung fiercely at every ball bowled by Taryn Kirk.

Next to the crease was Xanthe Kirk (15) and Cadence Dowdell (8).

These two young girls mirrored their teammates’ efforts by running at every available chance and hence improving the team’s total.

Maxine O’Connor proved handy at the bowling end with a beautiful bowling action.

Last in was Maecee Smith (13), and her efforts with the bat resulted in double figures.

When it was time for the Lannings to bat, their opening batters did not disappoint.

Taryn Kirk (14) smacked a boundary and Maxine O’Connor (11) managed to score off every ball bar one.

Charlie Tout (9) and her partner Samantha Murray (11) were exciting to watch as they were keen to run at every opportunity.

Elsie Barton (8) partnered Charley Murray (6) and both showed no fear against the opposition’s bowlers, as they too swung at everything that was bowled at them.

Maecee Smith and Cadence Dowdell had their eyes on every ball in the field, making sure the ball was returned to the bowler’s end promptly.

In both games the girls’ bowling was paired with some excellent fielding, direct returns resulting in run-outs and all the girls had a good crack with the bat.