The achievement was having finally got to the show, but the young Wanganui women's cricketers got a rude wake-up call that they are now on a whole other level.
The first Wanganui women's senior team to play in 14 years took a rough 222-run hiding in their debut Mike ShrimptonTrophy match against Hawke's Bay yesterday afternoon, tumbling to 53 all out chasing the visitors' imposing 275-5 from 50 overs.
Playing on large boundaries and with many of the team still adapting to the rudimentary principals of the sport a number of them covering for university students still away and more seasoned players such as Canterbury's Michelle Mitchell Wanganui could not contain Hawke's Bay's batters.
Winning the toss, Hawke's Bay put themselves in and scored fairly freely, taking their Power Play in the 36th over.
All of them got starts, with Otago-player Lisa Grant following up her 195 from the week before against Manawatu to top score with 48, followed by Shanee Thompson (39no) and Kelly Rangi (38), along with assistance from several extras.
Briar Cloake finished with 3-64 from her 10 overs, including getting both Hawke's Bay openers, while captain Esther Lanser took off the keeper's gloves to bowl a restricting 1-25 from her quota.
In reply, Wanganui collapsed to 22-4, as White Fern Abby Burrows ripped through them with her right arm mediums, taking 3-3 from five overs.
Only Jessica Watkin could hold her ground as the other end of the crease resembled an express lane 51-7 became 53-8 with her departure after scoring 30 runs, over half the final total.
Six of the players lost their stumps as Rangi cashed in with some tight line-and-length finishing with figures of 4-8 as a good catch was made off her bowling to snaffle the last Wanganui wicket.
Coach Dilan Raj said the side will be strengthened with the return of other players.
