Cricket: Northland girls a Twenty20 hit

The Northland Secondary Schoolgirls' cricket team proved quick learners when they took on Counties Manukau in a double-header at Kaipara Flats.

In the first Twenty20 match on Sunday, the vastly more experienced Counties girls knocked the Northland bowlers off their stride, amassing 162-4, including a dismaying 42 wides. The best Northland bowlers were Eva Pearson and Briar Mortensen with a wicket each.

In reply, Northland were dismissed for 81, Olivia Lobb (13) and Tia Saunders (11) the top scorers.

With the first game taking so long, the second match was reduced to 16 overs a side.

The Northland girls had learned their lesson and a dramatic improvement in their play pushed the game into an exciting last over.

Batting first, Olivia Lobb was the principal contributor with 33no as Northland reached 71-6. The other opener, Brooke Johnson, was unlucky to be run out for five. Hayley Green also improved her batting considerably in the second match.

In pursuit, Counties appeared to be cruising to victory, but an improved bowling effort, notably from Natalie Hammond, Aesha Hill, Bethany Shepherd, Olivia Brookland and Sam Hardy, saw Counties restricted to 70-5 for a nail-biting win.

With increased playing opportunities in the near future, the potential for girls' cricket in Northland is exciting and there is a clear pathway for young players to achieve at the highest level in the women's game.