By Tara Murray
Melton Centrals had a mixed double header weekend in Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket north-west B T20 competition.
Centrals faced St Anthonys and Greenvale Kangaroos, both at Blackwood Drive Reserve.
In the first game, against local rival the Saints, Centrals fell three runs short of victory.
The Saints made 1-118 on the back of 50 from Amanda Quirk and 42 not out from Jacqueline Haffenden.
Centrals finished 2-116 from their overs, giving the Saints victory.
The Centrals later accounted for the Kangaroos. They made 3-135 before restricting the Kangaroos to 5-93.
Centrals captain-coach Candace Hulett said the side was showing signs of improvement since it made its debut 12 months ago.
“Most of the girls have come back from last year and a couple of young girls have joined the old faces,” she said. “Returning players are a key and we are growing our squad, which is good.”
Hulett said Rebecca Bonnici was starting to exhibit some fine hitting power, while the Keenan sisters, Tara, Kylie and Erin, were showing the benefits of having a full season under their belts.
The most experienced player in the side, Hulett said she hoped she could step back to allow other players opportunities to shine.
Hulett said that with their improvement, Centrals were hoping for more wins and even a finals berth. They currently have a 2-2
record.
Last season they won eight games across the one-day and T20 competitions.
With changes to the competition structure this year, several of the stronger teams are playing in a higher grade.
“With the way the fixture is, hopefully there isn’t so many one-sided matches and hopefully some last-over thrillers,” she said. “That’s more exciting for the girls.
“Certainly, the goal of the team is finals and everyone is on board for that goal. Fingers crossed that happens.”
In other results, St Anthonys split its matches, losing to Gisborne in its second after beating Melton Centrals in the first.
The Saints fell seven runs short of victory, making 4-108 in reply to Gisborne’s 0-114.
Caroline Springs lost its matches, both against more experienced clubs.
The Falcons were bowled out for 33 against Coburg 2. Coburg made the runs with ease, finishing with 1-37.
Against Geelong 2, the Falcons made 4-87 in reply to Geelong’s 2-105.
Lisa Alexander top-scored for the Falcons with 38 at the top of the order.
MORE CVWCCC NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/twin-victories-for-gisborne/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/greenvale-kangaroos-build-from-the-ground-up/
