NORTHERN Rivers’ under-16 girls team savoured state championship success on Sunday in Melbourne.
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The team – which featured six Bendigo players – defeated Metropolitan Inner East in their Cricket Victoria State Championships final at Box Hill City Oval.
Metropolitan Inner East scored 3-91 off its 20 overs after being sent in, with Bendigo’s Latesha Bawden (1-10) taking one of Northern Rivers’ wickets.
In reply Northern Rivers took 18 overs to reach 4-92 and win by six wickets.
Skipper Arnika McGregor earned the player of the match award for her unbeaten 36 off 33 and tight 0-5 off four overs.
“The girls were unbelievable today. We fielded well and bowled tight and the objective was to keep them to under 100, which we did and gave something for our batters to chase,” coach Hadleigh Sirett said.
“We were 3-30 after 10 overs in our chase and needing a run-a-ball in the back end of the innings and were able to do it with a couple of overs to spare, so it was a fantastic effort.”
As well as McGregor’s innings, Bendigo’s Mia Ward (24 off 20) also made a valuable contribution after beginning her knock with Northern Rivers at a shaky 3-20.
The Bendigo representatives in the winning team were Cailin Green (Bendigo), Bree Saffron (White Hills), Ward (Mandurang), Bawden (White Hills), Amy Ryan (Bendigo) and Dakota Rasmussen (Golden Square).
Meanwhile, Northern Rivers under-14 boys team was beaten in its final.
Northern Rivers suffered a six-wicket loss to South East Bayside at Greenvale.
Northern Rivers posted 6-151 off its 40 overs batting first, with Bendigo’s James Barri carrying his bat through the innings for an unbeaten 79 off 133.
The next best scorer was another Bendigo player, Wil Tuohey (24).
Northern Rivers made a positive start to have South East Bayside 2-24 early.
However, opener James Keys (77 n.o.) led his side to victory as South East Bayside took 38 overs to answer with 4-152.
Bendigo’s Patrick Murphy took 1-25 off seven overs.