Central girls lose in final

VICTORS: The Auckland girls are the 2015 national under-15 cricket champions after beating defenders Central Districts in Wanganui yesterday.PHOTO/DILAN RJ 080115WCSUPCRICKET1

THE Auckland girls proved too strong this week, going through the Cricket Express/The Watsons national under-15 tournament unbeaten to wrest the title off Central Districts in Wanganui yesterday.

The tournament marked the first week of the Wanganui Festival of Cricket at Victoria Park and yesterday's final was a one-sided affair, with Auckland easily reaching the modest target set by CD.

Batting first, CD were all out for just 92 runs after 29.4 overs, Monique Rees top-scoring with 49 runs. The Auckland bowlers proved too strong.

Auckland came into bat and CD looked to have some hope of defending the small total after claiming two quick wickets. Auckland opener Yaseem Kareem, however, remained at the crease, anchoring a comeback.

She and her partners were soon scoring freely and by the seventh over had reached half their target. At one point in the innings Auckland were scoring a run a ball.

Four balls into the 22nd over, Kareem scored the final two runs for victory. The youngster, who also starred at this competition last year, also took two wickets with the ball for eight runs off 5.2 overs.

Sally Wenham managed two fine catches in the second innings for CD.

Earlier in the week, CD and Auckland looked to be the finalists with both sides unbeaten until they met on Wednesday.

Auckland easily accounted for the defending champions in the first encounter, setting the scene for yesterday's outcome in the final.

The Wanganui Festival of Cricket continues next week with the national under-13 girls' tournament from Monday to Thursday, while the under-13 boys' competition will run over two days at the end of next week.