Craigieburn is again one of the benchmark sides in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket north west division.
Having played in both the one-day and T20 grand finals last season, the Eagles’ start to this season is four wins, a loss and a two washout draws.
On Sunday, they recorded their first loss of the season across both formats to newcomers Hoppers Crossing in a T20 match.
Hoppers Crossing made 4-117 off their overs, never looking troubled by the Eagles bowlers.
In reply, the Eagles could only make 5-99.
The win is the first for Hoppers Crossing women’s side.
Speaking before Sunday’s game, Eagles’ coach David Woodgate said they had been happy with their start to the season.
“We’re going along quite OK, considering the amount of players we’ve lost from last year’s team,” he said. “We have lost four girls and none of them is due to not wanting to play cricket.
“We’ve got two players pregnant, so they can’t play. Another has had to give it away as her body wasn’t recovering too well from games.
“The fourth player, Dianna Cachia, is still playing, but she’s only played limited games.”
Woodgate said they had managed to bring in some younger players, which would help continue developing the side in future years.
“We’re blooding them into the side,” he said.
“Julia Montesano and Amy Caruana, are both around 18 years old. Another young girl has just started with us and she’s about 13.
“We’re going through the process and giving them more chances in games.
“It means the girls who batted and bowled low last season are higher up the order this season.”
With the aim of giving different players opportunities, the Eagles have switched the batting order around in most games.
Each player is making the most of their opportunities, with the side losing just seven wickets in their first four wins.
“It’s not the same people making runs every week,” Woodgate said.
“Our captain, Litara Va’auli, has only had one hit and made 30-odd. Rebecca Fontana batted a lot in the lower order the last few years, and she’s moved up the order and made a 40.
“Maria Va’auli has only had one hit, while our former captain Rebecca Lines has had a few scores of 40 and above.”
Woodgate said the motivation this season was high after coming so close in both competitions last season.
“We want to get the extra step, but the other sides have also got better as well.
“It’s a good competition and there’s another five or six sides that are really good.”
In other results, Jacana defeated Brunswick, while Tullamarine lost to Melbourne University. Plenty Valley had the bye.
