Sport
20 February, 2023
Maryborough girls’ Under 14 Country Week team secures first win in five years
It was a momentous occasion for the Maryborough U/14 Just for Girls Country Week team as they took their first ever victory in the competition in Kyneton on Sunday. The win over Grampians was the perfect end to a good day for the team, who were...
It was a momentous occasion for the Maryborough U/14 Just for Girls Country Week team as they took their first ever victory in the competition in Kyneton on Sunday.
The win over Grampians was the perfect end to a good day for the team, who were competitive in both of their outings.
The team’s first game was against Gisborne, and some gritty batting from Arabella Koop (nine) and Emmy Lusher (five) helped lead the way as Maryborough finished on 5/40 after 20 overs.
A solid Gisborne team were able to respond in kind by doubling their score, but there was a good level of improvement in the bowling department, with Maryborough able to hold Gisborne to 1/81 after conceding 98 and 119 in their two games last week.
Ella Govan was Maryborough’s best bowler, finishing on 1/9 off three overs.
Maryborough regrouped for their final game, and were determined to end the competition with their first victory.
They were able to enjoy a terrific bowling performance, with Koop finishing on 2/5 off four overs, while Tamika Loone-Grundy also bowled spectacularly, finishing with figures of 2/6 off three overs.
Govan (1/10 off four), Amity Palmer (1/6 off two) and Lusher (1/5 off one) were also key wicket-takers as they restricted Grampians to 7/58 off their 20 overs.
When it came time for them to bat, Maryborough started strongly. Izabella Adam scored nine before being retired, but Loone-Grundy was the star of the afternoon, finishing on 23.
Koop and Govan were also terrific with the bat, finishing on 12 and 10 not out before being retired to allow the rest of the batting line-up an opportunity to savour the victory.
In the end, Maryborough took victory by five wickets, finishing on 5/76 off their 20 overs.
Under 14 Just for Girls coach Leigh Koop was absolutely thrilled with their efforts, saying their victory was well-deserved.
“The girls are over the moon. It was our first victory after five years of being in the competition. It’s the result of all the hard work in the background, the growth and the development coming together and having success in a game. They really enjoyed the end of the competition,” he said.
Koop said he was most impressed with their tighter bowling during the two games on Sunday, which led to greater energy in the field.
“We bowled with a tight line and length. The growth and development in the girls showed as they reduced the amount of extras they conceded, and had major energy in the field, they were walking and talking, and they reduced runs with some creative play and good game awareness, which was one of our big goals of the carnival,” he said.
Koop reserved special praise for Loone-Grundy, Koop and Govan.
“Tamika was the player of the match against Grampians — she had the opportunity and took it on with gusto. She was a key cog with the bat and ball. Arabella Koop and Ella Govan were under pressure together in their partnership to take them to the win, and they did very well with the bat,” he said.
“Arabella ended up taking the most wickets of the tournament and also took the bowling average. From the Maryborough District Cricket Association (MDCA) program, there were some great results.”
Koop said that the work of the MDCA shouldn’t go unnoticed throughout their efforts in fielding competitive Country Week teams.
“It summed up the efforts from the work of the MDCA and all the support networks, right through to everyone who supported the girls. The girls themselves took it on with their leadership, and it was a great effort all-round by the girls and the support team,” he said.
“It was a great conclusion to a program which allows them to have a go at cricket. To be involved, it was fantastic for everyone.
“We’ll have a bit of a celebration and a gathering next Sunday, a little fun get-together for all their success in what was a short and sharp month for everybody.”
As for next year, Koop’s simple goal for the moment is to continue to build on their success during this year’s tournament.
“We’ll look at the program with optimism and opportunity now to provide resources and a system in place to continue with progression. We’re certainly hoping the community and clubs of the MDCA rally behind it to bring young girls through their clubs from the junior cricket programs through to the under 13s and release them into having a go with the MDCA under 14s team, and continuing their progression in the competition,” he said.