Auckland win but Pedersen MVP

Central District's Cate Pedersen bowls Auckland's Anna Browning in yesterday's Cricket Express National U15 girls final. Pedsersen was the tournament's MVP. Photo/ Lewis Gardner

Auckland made short work of Central Districts in the Cricket Express National U15 girls final yesterday morning.

Batting first on Victoria Park's Tasman Tanning no.1 pitch, the homeside were rolled for 39 with captain Saffron Wilson scoring 12.

Auckland chased down the the total with inside ten overs to take the title but three wickets from Central's tournament standout Cate Pedersen was enough to lift her above Auckland's Aimee Hucker for tournament MVP honours.

Pedersen was the tournament's best bower overall, taking 15 wickets including a five wicket bag and a hat-trick in one match. She also finished third on the overall batting list with 101 runs in the six matches, including a half century.

Central Districts coach Esther Lanser was happy with her side's tournament in what was a rebuilding season for the side.

Central only had three players returning from last year's title winning squad but managed to win all but one round robin game, the one loss coming against Auckland on Wednesday.

"For me, winning's not important," Lanser said.

The tournament was about developing players, Lanser said, and that had happened.

"The girls gave stayed really positive the whole way through. They've improved through the tournament and they've all had performances. It's a great learning experience.

"I'm really proud of them. They've never dropped their lip. They've just stayed positive and they've just fought."

Lanser said Auckland were a team strong with most of the side playing regular club cricket at home.

Five of the current Central Districts squad will still be eligible next year and Lanser said that would allow them to build on this year's effort.

"There's a really good balance to take back next year."

In the 5th vs 6th playoff of the final day Wellington (126/6) just held of Otago (120/10).