It was another frustrating weekend for Craigieburn’s women’s cricket team.
The Eagles started the season in fine form but have had a month between matches because of forfeits, a bye and wet weather.
The frustration continued on Sunday when Napoleons-Sebastopol forfeited, meaning the Eagles haven’t played since November 10 in the Women’s Community Cricket Competitions.
Speaking before the match, Eagles skipper Litara Va’auli said the were looking forward to the game, the first of the T20 part of the season – the opening round was washed out.
The Eagles are playing in a combined T20 competition, which has teams from the shield and north west competitions playing off.
Va’auli said despite the Eagles coming from the lower of the two grades, they were confident of a good showing.
“There’s only one team we haven’t played before,” she said.
“We know what to expect. We’re really excited about the challenge.”
Va’auli said the majority of the playing group had played together for seven years, so had expected to gel early and set the tone for the season.
“We have been playing together for seven seasons and we know how each other play.
“We’re confident we are putting in the hard work.”
Kristy Carbis is one addition to the team this season. Carbis, who usually bats at the top of the order, previously played Premier Cricket with Melbourne.
She provides a massive boost not just with her skills, but also leadership and team spirit.
Va’auli said the Eagles are aiming for a finals berth in both the T20 and one-day competition.
She said the team was putting in the hard work, making sure they were all training.
The Eagles have been boosted this season with the inclusion of two girls teams in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association’s under-13 David Woodgate Shield competition.
Woodgate, who died from illness earlier this year, was the Eagles’ senior women’s coach for a number of years.
Va’auli said it was encouraging to have the girls coming through.
“There was a big push to get the juniors pushing through,” she said. “We did clinics and put our fliers. A lot of the girls have never played before as they were intimidated by playing with the boys.
“They’re the future of the women’s team.”
The Eagles are due to play Edinburgh on Sunday. In the north T20 competition, Tullamarine lost to Coburg-Glenroy 2.
Gisborne’s 7-94 wasn’t enough against Melbourne University which finished 1-95. Carlton-Brunswick 3’s were smashed by Plenty Valley 3. Carlton-Brunswick managed just 8-45 from its overs, with the Bats making the runs with seven wickets and seven overs in hand. The Bats finished on 3-47.
