Kamo Intermediate School's [KIS] Girl's 1st XI cricket team will be looking to replicate the success of the school's 2014 Boy's 1st XI, as they take to the pitch for the Northern Districts regional final today to book a spot in the New Zealand Post Shield finals.
Primed to faceTauranga Intermediate at Bruce Pulman Park in Auckland this morning, KIS coach and manager Vaughan Witten says his team aren't looking to settle for second place.
"One more hurdle ... basically we want the girls to show off their skills and do their best and I reckon if they do that then they'll have a good opportunity," he said.
"Tauranga's traditionally a strong sporting school. Our boys' team came up against their boys last year and beat them to get into the finals... if they do all the things that they can do on the day, I don't see why not," Witten added of his team's chances at toppling the Tauranga side.
Battling it out in the third round of the NZ Shield Y7/8 cricket competition against Manurewa's Reremoana School several weeks ago, KIS put on a good show to earn entry into today's regional final.
Makayla Templeton starred with the bat and ball, knocking up an outstanding 63 not out, with able support from Paige Witten (11 not out) and Gemma Webb, who scored five runs.
KIS also dominated with the ball, restricting Reremoana to 61/5 off their 20 overs. Templeton shone again with four wickets off her four overs for four runs, with a two-wicket maiden coming off her last over.
Ella Beehre collected her first wicket also, after a tidy catch by wicketkeeper Mia Rocher.
For the KIS girls, excellent coaching and support from the Northland Cricket Association, along with their commitment to practice, has been a big part of their success Witten added.
Today's winner will go to the national finals in Christchurch from November 26-28.
