Tara Murray
For the Epping Pingettes this season was meant to be a development year in the North Metro Cricket Association women’s competition.
Having gone from two teams down to one after some departures, the Pingettes were looking to regroup this season.
But the group exceeded all expectations and claimed the Lorraine Ireland Shield spring title on Sunday.
Pingettes women’s coordinator and player Tanae Creek said the group was very excited to have won the title.
“We thought this year was more of a development year,” she said. “ We had played with A-grade and B-grade sides the last couple of years.
“We thought that it would be too hard to field two sides, so we decided to have one side and have extra players.
“It was really good.”
The Pingettes made 5-132 from their 20 overs.
Mel Durdin was the standout with 42, while Alicia Gorman made 29. Tara Chetcuti took two wickets for the Power.
Creek said they would have liked another 15 runs on the board, but said the score was defendable.
She said they backed their bowlers in.
“Their bowlers were amazing,” she said. “If we had 15 more runs we would have been a bit more comfortable.
“Our bowlers very much so, were able to keep us in matches. At least two occasions bowled teams out including Lauirmar during the season for a small score as well.
Set 133 to win, Laurimar opened strongly with Tracy Ashby, who made 50 not out, and Elyse Scheuermann.
It was cruising at 0-50, before 14-year-old Naomee Hoeboer struck with a game changing run out
The Pingettes then took control of the game with the match coming down to the final over of the day.
Pingettes playing-coach Kristy Carbis used her experience to seal the win. The Power finished
4-130.
Hoeber took 2-12 off her five overs and was named best on ground.
Creek said it was really exciting to see one of their youngest players really step up and have an impact.
“Kristy has come in and this year as coach and has really focused on developing the younger girls and giving them confidence.
“We have players from 14 to 59, there’s a nice range of players.”
The premiership continues the Pingettes run of success in the NMCA T20 competition, having won the 20-21 spring season in the Lorraine Ireland Shield and the 20-21 spring season of the Lenore Smith Shield.
Creek said the program was about developing players of all ages and they wanted to continue to grow.
“We rotated players through and gave players who normally wouldn’t get a bowl a shot,” she said.
“We had two players take their first ever wicket.
“We will work towards having two teams again for next year’s summer season. We want to get a few more girls across.
“Women who may not have played sports before and thought it may be boring.
“They’ll see it’s an environment which is encouraging and supportive.”
