Women's Profile - First Grade/Premier Reserve

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

The Women's First Grade/Premier Reserve season is reaching the closing stages with the final T20 championship positions decided last weekend.

Eden Roskill took out the title when they defeated Mangere Pukapuka in the first against second playoff game after both had lost just once in the round robin stages.

The final was a one sided affair at Melville Park with Roskill dismissing their opponents for just 40 in the 11th over. Kim Scott was the pick of the bowlers claiming the outstanding figures of 4-8, taking her season tally to 16 wickets in the process, while Christina Oscar was no less impressive in claiming 3-21 from her four overs.

In reply Roskill lost three early wickets but they were never in danger of not reaching their target, and they cruised home with seven wickets to spare in the 13th over to be crowned T20 champions.

The trophy is just reward for the Roskill side who have been defeated only once in either form all season. In Alisha Hyndman and Natasha Van Tillburg they have the competitions leading two run scorers (Hyndman has 430 at an average of 71 while Van Tillburg is just behind her on 407 at 58) and Kim Scott (16 wickets at 5.44) is the leading wicket taker.

In the 3rd/4th place playoff Grafton United defeated Auckland University in a close encounter. University came into the game full of confidence after becoming the first side to defeat Eden Roskill this season just one week ago, but they couldn't repeat their heroics on this occasion.

Grafton batted first and reached 116/3 thanks in no small part to a superb second wicket partnership between Kate Ross (39) and Sheryl Robertson (32). Robertson has over 150 runs for the season and an outstanding average of 51.33 and Grafton`s efforts were even more impressive by the fact their leading run scorer this season Rebecca Quirk (215 runs at 71.67) wasn't even required to bat.

In reply University knew they had the ability to overcome any total. Captain Stephanie Carr is the third leading run scorer in the competition with 240 to her name while Gemma Lord isn't far behind her with 168. However thanks to a superb spell from Kymberly Hornell (4-15) Grafton walked away winners by seven runs.

With the T20 competition now in the books the focus of the sides will revert back to the limited overs competition for the final three rounds.

As in the T20 the top four has a familiar feel. Eden Roskill are top with five wins from five games while Mangere Pukapuka have four wins from their five matches.

Grafton and Auckland University are next having each won twice while Ellerslie (one win) and Birkenhead round out the bottom two.

The sides will play two more regular season rounds over the next two weekends before the limited overs finals round will take place at the end of March.

One Day Championship

Team                          Points   
Eden Roskill                 15.0   
Mangere Pukapuka      12.0   
Auckland University      7.5   
Grafton United             6.0   
Ellerslie                       4.5   
Birkenhead City           0.0                                   

Remaining Fixtures:

18th February

Grafton United v Mangere Pukapuka - Melville Park 2
Ellerslie v Eden Roskill - Walker Park
Auckland University v Birkenhead City - Melville Park 3

25th February

Birkenhead City v Ellerslie
Eden Roskill v Grafton United
Mangere Pukapuka v Auckland University

31st March

Finals weekend

 

Twenty20 Championship

Team                               Points

Mangere Pukapuka            12.0   
Eden Roskill                      12.0   
Auckland University            7.5   
Grafton United                   7.5  
Birkenhead City                 4.5   
Ellerslie                             1.5   
                                    

Twenty20 Finals Round Results:

First place playoff - Eden Roskill defeated Mangere Pukapuka by seven wickets.
Third place playoff - Grafton United defeated Auckland University by seven runs.