A false start for the NDWCA’s 2025/26 season as wet weather strikes Narrabri

An opening round full of excitement was ruined by rain on Friday and Saturday as the Narrabri District Women’s Cricket Association’s 2025/26 campaign got off to a false start.

Friday night’s season opener between Redfern Contracting and GFS Engineering was called off before a ball could be bowled following the rain that hit town that afternoon, and then Saturday’s match between Wahgunyah Dreamtime Mirri and Wilga Hotel was 11 overs into the second innings when rain halted play and ended the contest abruptly.

Despite the disappointment of two washed-out draws to start the season, Saturday night’s action at Hogan Oval well and truly entertained as the Wahgunyah and Wilga ladies produced a run-fest at Hogan Oval.

Wahgunyah batted first after captain Angie Knox won the toss and she opened the batting alongside Paula Trindall. Trindall was bowled by Eliza Mallitt in the fifth over, and the Wilga Hotel gun then bowled Brogan Morris for a golden duck to end the over on a hat-trick.

She was unable to secure the hat-trick in the seventh over as she bowled two wides to begin it, but she then took a third wicket as she bowled Dannielle Pokarier-Baker (1) with her next ball.

Knox was then joined by Fiona Redfern at the crease, who has joined the Wahgunyah side this year, and the duo put on a 120-run partnership that Wilga were unable to break as they guided the batting team to 3-140.

Knox smashed six boundaries on her way to an unbeaten 57 runs, while Redfern struck one four during a patient 38-run innings.

Mallitt ended that innings with match-best figures of 3-16 from 20 overs, and she then scored 14 runs with the bat during the second innings before being bowled by Knox in the 11th over. That wicket made the score 3-52, and it was 3-53 when the sides were forced from the field at the end of the over.

Taryn Kirk (16*) was Wilga Hotel’s best with the bat on the night.

Round two matches this week will see Wilga Hotel challenge Redfern Contracting on Friday, and Wahgunyah Dreamtime Mirri take on GFS Engineering on Saturday. Both will be played from 7pm at Hogan Oval.