Player of the Championship: Ashleigh Gardner (CHS-1)
The Combined Independent Schools (CIS) took out the 2012 Lord’s Taverners Schoolgirls’ Cricket Championship by defeating the previously unbeaten Combined High Schools First XI (CHS-1) by 27 runs in the Final at Curl Curl last month (March 21).
Cricket NSW co-hosted the tournament with a team from the Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) and the Combined High Schools Second XI (CHS-2) also taking part in the annual three day competition.
Conditions for the Final were some of the best experienced throughout the whole tournament. CIS won the toss and batted first, posting 8-147 from their 50 overs. Jenny Taffs (42) got the innings off to a solid start and she was well-supported by Captain Emma Newman (31).
After the interval, CHS-1 were soon in a world of trouble at 3-6 with Taryn Heddo (4-14) and Anna Horton (2-28) ripping through the top order. A 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Ashleigh Gardner (43) and Lily Bardsley (33) took the score to 90 and at this stage it looked like CHS-1 had the upper hand.
However, tight CIS bowling accounted for Gardner and soon afterwards Bardsley hit a catch to point. CHS-1 continued to add runs slowly but the wickets also continued to tumble.
With CHS-1 needing 27 runs off 24 balls with one wicket in hand, CIS spinner Beth Wonders ended stubborn resistance from Mel Norup, having her stumped by Madelaine Bing on the first ball of the 47th over to end the match and start the CIS celebrations.
Match Scores
CIS 8-147 (J Taffs 42, E Newman 31, B Wonders 23, A Gardner 3/26) def CHS-1 120 (A Gardner 43, L Bardsley 33, T Heddo 4-14, B Wonders 2-17, A Horton 2-28) by 27 runs
Awards
Player of the Championship: Ashleigh Gardner (CHS-1)
Batting Aggregate: Emma Newman (CIS) 120 runs @ 40.00
Bowling Aggregate: Ashleigh Gardner (CHS-1) 10 wickets @ 4.30
Fielding Award: Alyssa Kale (CHS-2)
Team of the Championship
Lauren Smith (CCC)
Jenny Taffs (CIS)
Emma Newman (CIS)
Stef Daffara (CHS-1)
Lily Bardsley (CHS-1)
Ashleigh Gardner (CHS-1)
Alyssa Kale - wicketkeeper (CHS-2)
Mel Norup (CHS-1)
Beth Wonders (CIS)
Taryn Heddo (CIS)
Anna Horton (CIS)
Emma Felsch (CCC)
Full results and scorecards from the Championships can be found at http://www.nswsca.nsw.cricket.com.au