Girls take out cricket's first flag

GIRLS TAKE OUT CRICKET’S FIRST FLAG

Tuesday, March 2, 2004.

Girls cricket announced it was a force to be reckoned with in the region when Moonee Valley Cricket Club won the North West Cricket Association’s first Under 14 Girls flag.

Playing Glenroy Amateurs at Buckley Park, the Valley girls displayed tight, attacking cricket in the field, then built their own innings before powering away at the end.

Moonee Valley 3/128 def Glenroy Amateurs 7/100 on February 27.

Moonee Valley coach Phill King said he was proud of the way the girls developed through the season. In their first two encounters with Glenroy they received a thumping, then lost a nail-biter by three runs.

“I was ecstatic with the way they improved their cricketing skills during the course of the season, and it was a polished all-round display which won the premiership,” he said.

“Many of these girls will go on to play Under 17s with Moonee Valley next season, and the Premiership was a just reward for the way they applied themselves in learning the game,” Mr King said.

This was the third season the NWCA has fielded an Under 14 girls grade, but the first time they played off in finals and contested a flag.

The NWCA Director of Junior Cricket, Marlene Tate said the high standard of the Grand Final showed girls cricket was coming of age.

“I congratulate Moonee Valley on winning the first-ever girls premiership and for its work in developing players, and would urge all other NWCA clubs to support this important development initiative and try and field teams next season,” she said.

“We had five teams in 2003/04, and I believe every club should set itself the aim of fielding a side. There is a definite career path set out for girls through Cricket Victoria, and I would love to see NWCA girls go all the way through to the top.

“Perhaps some of the Moonee Valley and Glenroy Amateurs girls who played in the grand final will use it to take that next step,” Mrs Tate said.

The girls grand final was the first NWCA premiership to be determined this season, with all other junior and senior grades now into the first round of finals.