The U18 Female National Championships kicked off in style yesterday with a number of impressive performances.
South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and Auckland Schoolgirls all recorded wins in Round One's one-day matches in Ballarat.
South Australia (5/220) def Western Australia (176)
South Australia’s decision to bat after winning the toss paid dividends for them as they reached a well-made 5/220 off their 50 overs.
Amanda-Jade Wellington top scored with 72 runs and was ably supported by Kylie Rattray (37 runs).
Piepa Cleary was the best of the bowlers, with 2/14 (off 6.4 overs), as WA struggled to take wickets.
South Australia’s bowlers didn’t have any such problems, bowling WA out for 176 in the 43rd over. WA captain Chloe Piparo carried her bat through the innings with a stellar 111 not out, but her team fell easily around her.
SA’s Amanda-Jade Wellington continued her all-round effort with an impressive 4/38 as her team took first innings points.
Queensland (8/141) def ACT (137)
In this first round clash, Queensland won the toss and sent ACT into bat.
The ACT would have been disappointed to be bowled out for 137 after four of their batters made scores in the 20s but were unable to go on with it.
Queensland’s bowlers shared the wickets with Lauren Hume (2/7), Abigail Godfrey (2/43) and Casey Ryan (2/7) all picking up two wickets each.
Queensland easily reached ACT’s total in their 44th over with Siena Johnson (23 runs) and Haidee Burkett (24) the best for Queensland.
Victoria King (2/14) and Nina Westenraad (2/18) bowled well for the ACT, but their team’s first innings total proved too small to defend.
Victoria (9/188) def New South Wales (137)
In a re-match between last year’s first and second placed U18 teams, Victoria emerged the victor.
Reigning U18 champions NSW won the toss and sent the Victorians in to bat. The Vics managed a respectable 9/188 as the NSW bowlers shared the wickets around.
Maisy Gibson was the only multiple wicket taker for NSW with 2/31, while Victorian Kate Dempsey top scored with 78 runs.
NSW would have backed themselves in the run chase, but were bowled out for a disappointing 137 in reply.
It was a great team effort from the Victorian bowlers with impressive figures going to Nicola Hancock (3/20), Sarah Tatchell (2/39) and Chelsea Moscript (2/15) in their win.
Auckland Schoolgirls (8/245) def Tasmania (110)
Visiting team Auckland Schoolgirls recorded a comprehensive victory against Tasmania in their first U18 National Championships match.
Auckland were sent into bat by Tasmania and made an explosive 8/245, led by Lauren Down (56).
Paris Crowe produced an impressive bowling effort for Tasmania, taking 5/28 off her 10 overs, but the rest of her team struggled to remove Auckland from the middle.
In reply, Tasmania was unable to match Auckland’s fire power and could only manage 110 runs before they were bowled out in the 39th over.
Clare Mains led the bowling attack for Auckland with 3/21 off 7 overs as her team easily claimed first innings points.
First Posted 17 January, 2013 1:03PM AEST
