The start of post-Christmas for the Hawks girls was a tight one with a face-off against 2nd on the table, UQ Heat. With UQ’s strongest player out, the Westie girls were even more revved up for the win. They turned up to the home ground, Chelmer Park ready to go but unfortunately lost the toss and were sent in to bat, however, this didn’t phase them one bit.
The throwdowns showed it all! Crunching straight right from the beginning sought a fantastic innings. Openers Naiya Varidel and Emma Lockwood stepped foot onto the field focused and determined to get the team over the line, and they did exactly that! The first 7 overs brought a steady accumulation of runs only putting them on 45. However, a match was lit between the two, and off they went. Suddenly, the run rate increased and they were on track. The 107 run partnership was unfortunately cut short after the 16th over when Naiya was dismissed. In came returning, Trinity Doyle who rebuilt a partnership with Emma getting the westie girls to 129, putting UQ under a 130 run chase.
The second innings went off to a rocky start but settled down when Sophie Martin and 11 year old debutant, Holly Walker, came into the attack. With the scoreboard getting away from the girls, both of them steadied the run rate as Holly took a key wicket of one of UQ’s openers. The Westies spirits rose and from then on the pressure was turned. Naiya took to her run-up for the second time in the innings and rolled, in quick succession, 4 of the UQ batsmen. Scarlett Varidel was the key behind the stumps the whole way through the innings taking 2 stumpings. Finally, Kyrna Crump closed out the innings taking 2 wickets, clean bowled.
UQ ended with 125 runs on the board, leaving the Westies with a very important win!
The win was fantastic and a special congratulations to Holly Walker on stepping up and in all being a key contributor to the game with the ball. Being only 11 years old playing in an U18 comp, it was very impressive to see her attentiveness to the strategy and execution of this throughout the match.
Key Stats:
- Naiya Varidel 64 (56) & 4/25 (4)
- Emma Lockwood 46 (53)
- Kyrna Crump 2/13 (2)
- Holly Walker 1/25 (4)
Emma Lockwood punched her way to a solid 46 from 53 balls. 
Naiya Varidel hits out while compiling 64 from 56 balls. 
Trinity Doyle sets The Fury loose! 
Kyrna Crump shows great form in her debut for the Hawks. 
Holly Walker at full throttle with afterburners engaged! 
Scarlett Varidel secures a potential escapee. 
The Jessinator fires up! 
Eloise Schabe lines up to unleash.
