"At an association level, a development training squad of girls aged 10 to 12 was established, and the flagship under-15 representative team continued to make positive competitive strides."
Selected in October last year, the Wairarapa squad of 14 contested the Central Districts under-15 girls tournament in December, the annual Hawke's Bay Cricket Camp Riverbend tournament in January and played several invitation matches.
The CD tournament provided a stepping stone to success in the second half of the season and the girls played six Twenty20 matches in three days, against opposition including Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and Manawatu.
Despite not winning a match, in no way was Wairarapa outclassed, at various points having heavyweights such as Manawatu 4-3 and Hawke's Bay, 20-5. Comments from opposition coaches and supporters highlighted that the Wairarapa side was possibly the tournament's best bowling and fielding team.
Standout performances from Wairarapa included Kate Sims taking 12 wickets over the six matches at an average of seven runs per wicket, and Sinead Barrell scoring almost 100 runs, including two top scores of 28. Both girls were in the minds of the CD selectors, with Barrell being named a non-travelling reserve for the New Zealand national girls tournament team, and Sims having to turn down a place in the side proper due to her swimming commitments.
In January, the Wairarapa under-15 squad travelled to Hawke's Bay for the annual Riverbend tournament which became a two-sided affair between Wairarapa and Cornwall Park, Hastings, after several teams withdrew. Bad weather meant that only one day of cricket was played, in the form of a unique two-innings match of 20 overs per innings. From lessons learned pre-Christmas, Wairarapa notched up an emphatic 55-run win. Sinead Barrell and Georgia Atkinson starring with the bat, making significant contributions in each innings, while Olivia Roseingrave was among the wickets, taking three in the first innings, and Annissa Greenlees two in the second.
Since January, the team has had success against a Dannevirke development side, followed by the season's highlight - a win against CD under-15 tournament champions Taranaki. Batting first, Wairarapa managed a strong 144 from 30 overs on a slow, low pitch. Sinead Barrell again led the way with a well-struck 27, ably supported by Georgia Atkinson with 21. In reply, Taranaki quickly lost their star batsman, and star of the U15 CD side, former Carterton schoolgirl Monique Rees, clean bowled by Kate Sims for a duck. They never recovered from the set-back and were dismissed for 66 in the 16th over. Wickets were shared among Kate Sims (3), Annabel McKenzie (3) and Olivia Roseingrave (2).
Last month, Wairarapa hosted a Wellington under-15 selection and, in what was possibly a first for a girls team of this age, the match was held at the Queen Elizabeth Park oval. While the game ended in a comfortable win for Wellington, despite a fine knock of 38 by Wairarapa opening batsman Gemma Sims, it was a chance for the girls to showcase their team at the home of Wairarapa cricket.
In the final match of the season, again at the park oval, Wairarapa's 146 was not enough to beat a strong Hawke's Bay side's 182 for six in reply, including 95 not out by CD under-21 rep Rosemary Mair.
"We hope the number of girls playing cricket continues to increase, particularly when they become aware of the opportunities and enjoyment gained through playing the sport," Roseingrave said. "Wairarapa girls cricket now has a strategic plan in place ... and an evolving player pathway, to ensure that this happens."
