Kyneton’s Under 15 girls hosted Macedon in their GDCA semi final at The Kyneton Showgrounds last Friday.
Having beaten them the previous week, Kyneton went into the game as warm favourites and indeed came away with a victory and a grand final appearance next week.
Winning the toss and batting, the home team got away to a good start putting 14 on the board before they lost their first wicket. Quinn Barnett and Eloise Arnup kept the momentum going until Barnet was dismissed for nine. Arnup and Quincy Rogers kept the score ticking along and were both able to reach their retirement of 15 deliveries faced.
The middle order of Madeline Ferguson, Zoe Knott and Ashley Cross kept the scoreboard moving as they added three, 12 and nine respectively, more importantly Knott and Cross reached retirement.
Aminata Kuyateh, Ada Walsh and Matilda Hickey all added to the tally until Arnup and Rogers returned to the crease to add 26 valuable runs from the final 21 balls of the innings.
Arnup 26 not out, Rogers and Knott both with 12 were the top runs scores for the Tigers as they reached six for 100 from their 20 overs. Best for Macedon with the ball was Jocelyn Howlett with two wickets for five runs.
Macedon’s innings began with an early wicket, Lily Malone 21 runs from her 20 delivery was proving difficult to dismiss but wickets were falling around her. Rosie Maguigan and Barnett both taking early wickets saw a tight tussle unfold. Howlett seven runs, Freya Dodd 12 runs and Lily Arkinstall eight runs all contributed in the middle order but were unable to reach the retirement of 20 balls.
With 38 runs needed from 48 deliveries, the Abbi Condron 13th over proved decisive three wickets for the over ended the match with Malone dismissed due to a great outfield catch by Barnett. All out eight wickets for 71 runs falling short of Kyneton’s total by 29 runs.
Next week Kyneton Under 15 girls take on the undefeated Wallan at Wallan. In only their first season as an Under 15s group, the Kyneton girls have performed amazingly and with a team of four first year players and most girls only in the second season, even making finals this season is already a win. Fingers and toes crossed there may even be one more victory to come.
