Cricket:
The combined Central Coast/Newcastle U18s female side will take the field in the semi-final of the NSW Premier Women’s Cricket Brewer Shield competition this Sunday, March 12.
In its inaugural season of the state’s premier U18 competition the team, known as Greater Hunter Coast Crushers, finished third in the 12 team competition at the end of the home and away season with 12 wins from 16 games.
On Sunday they take on UTS North Sydney at Bon Andrews Oval, North Sydney, with the winner to progress through to the following week’s grand final.
The two sides met earlier in the season with the Crushers recording a six-wicket victory so the team will enter the semi-final with plenty of confidence.
Central Coast representatives in the team include Alex Bobbi Smith and Jess Dowling (Narara Wyoming), Emily Humphreys and Ava Drury (Terrigal Matcham) and Sophie McCrae (Kincumber Avoca).
Rejoice Mudavose (Narara Wyoming) and Layla Graham (Kincumber Avoca) have also been members of the team throughout the year.
Central Coast Cricket Chairman Garry Burkinshaw said coaches and officials have done a great job in getting the new team to gel.
“It is a pleasure to watch these girls play and the results they have achieved during the year could only be achieved with all players contributing,” he said.
“To reach the semi-finals is a credit to them all.”
Burkinshaw said he is waiting on Cricket NSW to confirm the team’s acceptance into the senior Premier competitions for next season.
“After the success we have had this year we are excited about entering teams into the senior women’s competitions starting with 2nd grade next season and 1st grade in 2024/25 season,” he said.
“This will continue the club’s goal of providing female cricket in the Central Coast and Greater Hunter region a pathway through to top level cricket without having to undergo the many hours of travel which has been the case in the past.”
Sundays match commences at 10am.
Source:
Media release, Mar 8
Central Coast Cricket