Four Bay girls in Northern Districts u21 team

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FOUR Poverty Bay girls have been named in Northern Districts under-21 cricket team to compete at the national tournament, which starts on December 15 in Auckland.

Tayla Hollis, Courtney Hayes, Lucy McHugh and Emma Hayes (her first selection at ND level) booked their places in the team with outstanding performances for the Bay in the Secondary Schoolgirls tournament in Tauranga this week.

Bay player-coach and district manager, Mel Knight said Hollis — a Northern Spirit player —was a strong contender to lead the bowling attack “and Tayla may be required to score a few runs this year also”.

“Tayla is progressing well as a cricketer, showing the value of playing in the local men’s club competition,” Knight said.

“This has helped improve her game considerably over the past two seasons.

Knight said Courtney Hayes, was in the team last year so “it was no big surprise she made the team”.

Courtney has had limited playing opportunities this year but she trains hard and put in good performances when it mattered, at the secondary girls tournament.

“I would expect Courtney to be first or second change seam bowler in this team.

“Emma Hayes has finally come out from behind her sister’s shadow.

“Emma has been one of our leading bowlers for girls and women’s teams in the past 12 months, since changing her bowling style to a fast off-spinner. She deserved her selection.

“Lucy (McHugh) will probably agree that she’s been thrown a lifeline for this tournament.

“Lucy has been on a lean streak with the bat in recent games but definitely has the potential to score a lot of runs and her unique variety of off spin often yields a wicket or two.

“She brings great energy and enthusiasm to teams and that can not be undervalued at what is sure to be a tough tournament for the team.”