Women’s NPL not for faint-hearted

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

Northern Premier League cricket makes big demands on those taking part, says Poverty Bay women’s player-coach Mel Knight, one of three local players in the Galaxy team.

“The commitment required from Poverty Bay players is not for the faint-hearted — playing club cricket on Saturday, which finishes as late as 6.30pm, then travelling to Tauranga that night,” Knight said.

“We’re up early on Sunday to be in Hamilton for Northern Spirit training for Tayla (Hollis) at 8am. We play for Galaxy from 11am till 6pm, then we have to travel home late on Sunday night.”

Knight and Hollis were members of the Galaxy team who lost to Sonic in Round 2 of the NPL 40-over competition.

“Round 1 was washed out,” said Knight, who moved from Velocity to become assistant player-coach for Galaxy this season.

“Courtney Hayes didn’t play for Sonic as she had NCEA exams.

“We scored 212-8 but Sonic chased it down, with three wickets to spare.

“Tayla bowled really well, taking 2-31 off eight overs,” said Knight, whose eight overs did not yield a wicket but cost only 29 runs.

Local female cricketers have also featured in NPL T20 games in Hamilton.

Mel Knight, Hollis and Knight’s daughter, 14-year-old Kayley, played Sonic and Power in the T20 competition.

Sonic batted first and made 119-4, with White Fern Sam Curtis top-scoring with 63 before being caught at deep square-leg by Mel Knight.

Hollis finished with 1-24 off four overs, while Mel Knght returned figures of 1-27 off four.

“We chased down the target in the 15th over,” Mel Knight said.

“Velocity had a first-match win against Power, (who were without Gisborne’s Kerry Tomlinson and Phoebe Taylor).

“Emma Hayes wasn’t required to bowl as Power were restricted to 101-4, a total that Velocity passed in 12 overs.”

Galaxy then played Power.

Batting first, Power were dismissed for 107. White Fern Katie Perkins scored 16 before she became the first of Mel Knight’s four wickets. She took 4-32 off four overs in a player-of-the-match bowling effort.

Kayley Knight played her part, snaring 1-16 off four overs in her first match at this level. Hollis took 1-22 off four.

“We chased the score down in the 16th over, with Spirit players Katie Gurrey and Brooke Halliday getting most of the runs,” Mel Knight said.

“Emma Hayes was also on the winning team when Velocity beat Sonic.

“Velocity scored 142 then dismissed Sonic for 67, with the highlight being a double-wicket-maiden in Emma’s final over.

“It takes a lot of commitment, time and effort from our players to compete at this level.”