Turangi, Avatiu-Nikao push ahead in women’s comp

The Avatiu-Nikao women’s cricket club and the Turangi women’s team are currently leading in the women’s cricket competition.

Coming off a win against Muri last week, Turangi again showed promise against their match up with Air Raro Matavera.

Batting first, Air Raro Matavera got off to a good start through the mother-daughter combination of Patsy and Rachel Hockin.

However, once Rachel went, the Turangi team applied real pressure.

A late fight back from Selina and Anna got Air Raro through to a respectable score of 56. With confidence high Turangi were able to get the score in just eight overs as Neke scored 24 and Grace 27.

The second of the women’s league games was a match up between Hot III’s Matavera and Muri Women’s Cricket Club.

After winning the toss, Hot III’s Matavera captain Trainee Uka decided to bowl first in hope of putting pressure on the Muri team, but Muri openers Toru and Las had different ideas as they got off to a great start.

Some tight bowling from Hot III’s steadied the ship and they were able to pick up two quick wickets, but not before Muri were able to post an impressive 90 runs, with help from Matina and Elaine.

Hot III’s Matavera batting side came out strong and despite 15 runs from Ana, Hot III’s were only able to manage 35 runs.

Going into next week’s round, the Eastern League points table stands at Turangi with eight points, Muri and Air Raro each with four points and Hot III Matavera yet to register a point.

With two new teams entering the western league, round two promised lots of excitement and didn’t disappoint.

Avatiu-Nikao took on ANZ Chickadees in the first game. ANZ won the toss and bowled first.

Two quick wickets in the first over had Avatiu on the back foot and they struggled under the relentless pressure that this new team put on them with wickets falling at regular intervals.

Avatiu were bowled out for 32 runs setting an exciting run chase for the ANZ Chickadees.

ANZ were able to carry their momentum early on scoring early runs, however some tight bowling from Luciana Matenga, Kara Matenga and Curly George put the pressure back on the ANZ team who were bowled out for 30 runs giving Avatiu the win by two runs, to give them two wins from two games.

In the other game Arorangi Lindeau Ladies took on Muri.

Muri batted first and in their match scored an impressive 55 runs showing hard training pays off.

Arorangi bounced back strong from their first round loss to Avatiu and were able to pace the run chase perfectly and achieve victory over Muri with Diane Fletcher batting well.