Winning start in Super City cricket comp for Gisborne women

FIRST-UP WINNERS: The Gisborne women’s cricket team won their Super City game against Palmerston North in a “home” fixture played at Cornwall Park, Hastings, on Sunday. They are, back (from left): Alessandra Evans, Alyssah Swann, Emma Hayes, Courtney Hayes, Rachel Scott and Dave McDonald (coach). Front: Lucy McHugh, Mel Knight (captain/coach), Kayley Knight, Mia Reeves, Tayla Hollis and Jess Steele. The team’s next game is against Hastings at Harry Barker Reserve on December 2. Picture supplied

CRICKET

Gisborne women had a winning start to the Super City cricket competition when they beat Palmerston North under-18 women with four overs to spare in a one-day match at Cornwall Park, Hastings, on Sunday.

This competition was organised by Hawke’s Bay women’s development officer and senior women’s coach Bob Morgan.

It is for players not playing at provincial level (Central Hinds or Nothern Spirit), with the aim of providing competition that is more serious than club play. The idea is to provide a pathway to higher-level competition.

Teams from Gisborne, Palmerston North and Hastings take part.

Sunday’s game in Hastings was treated as a home game for a Gisborne side who were a mix of up-and-coming and more experienced players.

Palmerston North won the toss and elected to bat.

Kayley Knight and Tayla Hollis shared the new-ball duties, both bowling exceptionally tight spells. After nine overs, Palmerston North had only 12 runs on the board.

By drinks, this had improved to 57-1.

Mel Knight, Kayley Knight and Lucy McHugh shared the wicketkeeping duties, fitting them in around their bowling spells.

Palmerston North opener Ashtuti Kumar, having established herself, looked to raise the run rate by putting away bad balls and hitting over the top of the infield. She reached 73 before Tayla Hollis — in her second spell — got through her defences.

Palmerston North made 157-5 in their 40 overs.

Pick of the Gisborne bowlers were Hollis (1-21 off eight overs) and Mel Knight (2-20 off seven, with two wicket-maidens). Emma and Courtney Hayes also bowled well, picking up a wicket each. Kayley Knight did not take any wickets but troubled the batters with pace, and found the outside edge.

Kayley Knight and Hollis also opened the batting for Gisborne, and put on 23 before Hollis was trapped leg before wicket by Grace Minnis.

Jayxena Piwari batted well at No.4. She scored a quickfire 20 from 15 balls, hitting her first ball for four and then, from Kumar’s bowling, striking a huge six over square leg.

Kayley Knight and her mother Mel — who forged a winning partnership in last year’s fixture — added 35 runs to take the team score past the hundred mark before Mel Knight was caught behind.

Mia Reeves plays club cricket in Hawke’s Bay while at school at Woodford, but playing for Gisborne she brought the team close to victory with a hard-hit 23 runs of 28 balls.

That left Rachel Scott and Emma Hayes to score the 16 runs for victory, which they managed with four overs to spare.

Coach Mel Knight said it was good to see significant contributions from the younger players who now all had a bit of experience at higher levels.

Tayla Hollis, Courtney and Emma Hayes, Jayxena Piwari and Year 10 students Kayley Knight and Mia Reeves had all stepped up.

And it was great to have Dave McDonald’s help with the coaching. Having coached the women’s team for much of the past 15 years, he brought invaluable experience to the team.

The next game for the Gisborne women’s cricket team is against Hastings women at Harry Barker Reserve on December 2.