Knight ND’s most valuable at NZ tourney

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Poverty Bay’s Kayley Knight produced a Most Valuable Player performance as Northern Districts posted three wins at the national under-18 girls’ tournament in Wellington this week.

Knight, Rubi Perano and Mia Reeves flew the Gisborne flag in the ND team at the tournament, which was reduced to four twenty20 games at Karori Park because of rain.

ND started with a three-wicket win over Wellington. They restricted the capital side to 77, Knight taking 2-19 and a catch to end Wellington’s innings.

Knight made an unbeaten 11 from 11 balls as ND chased down the target.

ND made 82-6 in their second game against favourites Auckland.

Knight again impressed with the ball, her three overs going for just nine runs as Auckland won in the 19th over.

Reeves took a fine catch to dismiss the Auckland opener while Perano unfortunately suffered a broken finger while fielding, forcing her to sit out the next game.

Game three against Otago saw ND post an imposing 140-2, anchored by 49 from Northland’s Makayla Templeton and 43 not out from Bay of Plenty’s Holly Topp.

Knight tore through the Otago top order, taking 3-4 and effecting a run-out as Otago staggered to 15-7. Reeves mopped up the tail with 3-16, just missing out on a hat-trick as Otago were dismissed for 33.

The final game against Central Districts was a thriller. Knight was ND’s most economical bowler, conceding 14 runs from four overs as CD made 120.

ND fell behind in their chase and needed 40 off the last five overs.

Hamilton’s Emma Baker was going well when Knight joined her in the 16th over. The pair ran well and hit the odd boundary, and ND went into the 20th over needing nine runs.

They achieved it — scoring 3, 1, 1, 2, 1 and Knight getting one off the final ball to complete an excellent team win much to ND’s delight and relief.

Knight had an awesome tournament and was named ND’s MVP. Her performances showed the benefits of hard work and a lot of training over the season so far.

Reeves and Perano were unlucky not to have more opportunities — the two days lost to rain limiting their contributions — however, they are certain to get more in the future.