Cricket: Schoolgirls aim to retain title

Olivia Crum (left), Shinae Smythe (centre) and Makayla Templeton during Northland's final practice session before heading to Tauranga. Photo/ John Stone

Northland's senior secondary schoolgirls team are confident they can defend their 2014 title in Tauranga this week.

Seeking back-to-back Northern Districts Senior Secondary Schoolgirls titles, coach Dave Lobb said the bulk of last year's team has remained on board for this year's campaign, which will add to their chances.

"We haven't lost many girls from last year, and they've all improved," he said.

Citing Hamilton and Bay of Plenty as possible threats heading into the three-day competition, Lobb added that the experience of the side will help in the pressure cooker moments.

"There's no substitute for winning it before," he said.

"Hamilton's always got a strong programme, they're never easy and Bay of Plenty are similar."

Set to play at Tauranga's picturesque Fergusson Park, Lobb added that Northland "can handle both" of the T20 and 30-over formats which they'll encounter.

The first two days will consist of four rounds of T20 action, before the title contenders wrap up the competition with a 30 over encounter apiece.

Last year Northland and Bay of Plenty finished on 12 points apiece, however, Northland were awarded the Louise Milliken Cup as tournament champions because they beat Bay of Plenty in T20 play.

Northland won the T20 thriller against Bay of Plenty in what turned out to be a vital clash.

Batting first, Northland posted 106/4, with Olivia Lobb in fine touch scoring an unbeaten 44. The Bay of Plenty side fell agonisingly short when they finished their allotted overs at 102/4.

The withdrawal of Counties Manukau in this year's title race, means that there will be a bye in each of the five rounds of play.

However, the up-side of just two games a day allows Northland and Poverty Bay extra time for travel on the first and last day respectively.

Northland's first match is this afternoon against Poverty Bay.