Gisborne trio shine in Rarotonga

WE LOVE CRICKET: Gisborne cricketers Tayla Hollis (left) and Kerry Tomlinson out in the middle together, batting for the Northern Spirit Maori women’s team in Rarotonga. Picture supplied

FIFTEEN-year-old Tayla Hollis took a hat-trick for the Northern Spirit Maori women’s cricket team against Cook Islands at a tournament in Rarotonga.

She was one of three Gisborne women to give standout performances in the side, who won all four of their matches.

Hollis, Kerry Tomlinson and Lucy McHugh played in three one-day matches against the Cook Islands and one match against the Avana Cricket Club.

Tomlinson, the only member of the side to have played for the full Northern (Districts) Spirit women’s side, scored 58 not out in the first Cook Isands match.

Hollis enjoyed a fine double, scoring 21 not out and taking 3-15 in a bowling spell that included her feat of three wickets in three deliveries.

McHugh, daughter of former Poverty Bay player Patrick McHugh, took one wicket.

In the second match Hollis, who plays senior cricket for Pirates, the club her father Craig and grandfather Kevin played for, took 3-13.

In the third match Tomlinson (24no) and McHugh (24) led their side to a one-wicket victory as they chased down the opposition’s 101-7 with eight overs to spare.

McHugh has also appeared for Northern under-18s while Hollis has played for Northern u15s, u18s and u21s.

Next year Northern Spirit Maori women hope to travel to Samoa to play in a similar tournament.

Results —Game 1: Cook Islands 130-8, Spirit 132-3.

Game 2: Cooks 100, Spirit 103-2.

Game 3: Cooks 101-7, Spirit 104-1.

Avana Cricket Club 96, Spirit 98-1.