Girls cricket XI tops the State

The North Coast CHS girls cricket team: Back row from left, Viv Nichols (coach), Tiffany Hodson, Bobbie Corrigan, Camille Oeding, Madeleine Richey, Madelyn Ryan, Hope Skehan; front, Rachel Payne, Kayla Worthing, Dannielle Creighton, Georgia Redmayne, Melissa Norup. ROBYN REDMAYNE

THE North Coast Combined High Schools (CHS) girls cricket team returned undefeated from the State carnival at Bathurst.

Coach Vivienne Nichols said the team had also won last year, but with a lot of noted players.

“This year, I only had 11 players, including six new ones, but no reserves,” she said.

“I gave Georgia Redmayne (Alstonville High) the captaincy and she was absolutely outstanding. It was her first time as captain and she was fabulous.”

As wicketkeeper, Georgia was named best at the carnival. She also scored 278 runs at an average 92.6.

In the match against Sydney East, she retired herself at 141 not out.

Hope Skehan, one of North Coast’s opening bowlers, took seven wickets.

“She was unluckynot to make the CHS Second XI,” coach Nichols said.

Georgia and Dannielle Creighton (Alstonville High) have been selected in the CHS First XI along with Melissa Norup (Port Macquarie High) to play at Orange this month.

“Melissa overcame an early illness and bowled beautifully, taking 1-15, 3-16, 2-3 and 1-16,” Nichols said.

“Against Sydney East, Camille Oeding (Alstonville) caught Sydney’s second highest run scorer on the boundary – a valuable catch off Hope’s bowling.

“Dannielle contributed with good bowling all week, and she and Georgia opened the batting in the final against Hunter District.”

Both teams went into the final undefeated.

After two run outs, Hunter was all out for 89. Melissa took 1-16 and Danielle 1-18.

“Our girls dominated in the field and batted well to finish with 0-91 from 30 overs,” Nichols said.

“I’m so proud of them.”

North Coast results:

North Coast 6-70 d Riverina 8-53

North Coast 1-109 d Sydney South West 4-104

North Coast 8-128 d Sydney North 87

North Coast 4-258 d Sydney East 116

Final: North Coast 0-91 d Hunter 89