Cricket: TGC march on to national champs

The successful Tauranga Girls' College cricket team. Rebecca Richard (back left), Meila Eades, Taylah Stack, Georgia Bartlam, Brooke Taylor, Ella Steenson, Shay Little, Paris Robertson; Anna Larsen-Leach (coach/manager, front left), Nensi Patel, Briana Perry, Holly Topp and Christina Gatensby-Hansen.

The Tauranga Girls' College cricket team, co-coached and managed by Anna Larsen-Leach, represented Bay of Plenty in the Northern Districts qualifiers on April 4-5 in Hamilton.

At stake was the right to represent ND at the nationals in Christchurch on December 1-4.

The TGC team was a mixture of experienced ND age group cricketers in Briana Perry (captain), wicket keeper Holly Topp and Nensi Patel and three of the Tauranga Intermediate girls' team that were third at the national champs in Christchurch last year.

The weather dictated both days that the games be moved and played on artificial wickets " at Hillcrest Park and Steel Park. In the first game TGC took on last year's winners Whangarei Girls' and bowled them out for 32, with outstanding bowling by Nensi Patel 3-4, Paris Robertson 2-5 and Christina Gatensby-Hansen 2-6. The target was reached in the 11th over.

Pukekohe Girls' decided to forfeit their match on day one.

Day two TGC played Hillcrest Girls' in the morning at Steel Park and dominated them from the start, bowling them out for 68. Best bowler was again Patel with 3-10 and some exceptional work behind the wickets by Holly Topp to assist two run outs. A great team effort by all players in the field. The total was chased down in the 10th over by openers Holly 14* and Briana Perry 35*.

TGC qualified first in Pool A and met Gisborne Girls' in the final. The tone of the game was set in the opening over with Gisborne losing their first wicket to the first ball and they finished with 59/9. A cautious approach again bred success with openers Perry and Topp setting the tone until Perry was out at 31/1. Patel (16*) and Topp (17*) then finished off the innings.

Best bowling stats from the tournament went to Nensi Patel with a total of 9-18 and Briana Perry with 3-16. Top run scorers and three of only four girls to bat in the tournament with Perry making 59 runs, Patel 34 and Topp 30.

"All 12 players, and a 13th who unfortunately had to be left out for this tournament, have played an important role and success could not have been achieved without the contribution by all players," Anna Larsen-Leach said.

"I am so hugely proud of all of my girls and what they have achieved and I cannot wait to work with them with the conclusion of winter sports later in the year in assisting them in their preparation for the honour to represent our region.

"They are humble, talented, exceptional girls who really are great ambassadors of the school. The team would like to thank our wonderful parental support and guidance from Rebecca Yee at BOP Cricket."