Frenchville in winning form, leading senior women’s comp midway through season

Frenchville are putting on an impressive showing in their first season, leading the competition at the halfway mark. See which of its players feature in the top 10 batters and bowlers.

Rockhampton Grammar's Adelaide McArthur and Rockhampton Brothers Megan Powell are among the leading performers in the senior women's cricket competition.

Frenchville Falcons have burst onto Rockhampton senior women’s cricket scene in sensational fashion, but it’s two Grammar stars leading the way with bat and ball halfway through the season.

Playing for the first time in this competition, Frenchville sit atop the ladder at the midway point.

The club has won three of its four games so far, and courtesy of a slightly better run rate, are ahead of Rockhampton Grammar, who share an identical win-loss record.

Dynamic duo Gabby Macrae and Adelaide McArthur have been major contributor to Grammar’s success to date.

McRae is the leading run-scorer with 138 and McArthur the top wicket-taker with six. (See the top 10 in each discipline below.)

Seven teams are in the T20 competition, which resumes on February 2.

Rockhampton Brothers have also been performing strongly and currently sit third, having won two of their three games.

Rockhampton Brothers are currently sitting third in the senior women's competition.

Frenchville president Travis Applewaite said fielding a women’s team was an exciting development for the club, which has been a powerhouse in the senior men’s ranks.

A talented cricketer, he is currently sidelined as he recovers from a ruptured ACL and put up his hand to take on the women’s coaching role.

He said it was an “interesting challenge” and one he was certainly enjoying.

It was allowing him to share his skills and experience and keep him actively involved in the game.

Frenchville Falcons senior women’s coach Travis Applewaite.

“Some of the players might have had a bit of cricket experience in the past but most of them have played other sports around the region and decided they wanted to give cricket a go,” Applewaite said.

“The goal wasn’t necessarily about winning or losing but to get our women to enjoy the game and enjoy each other’s company and let the results take care of themselves.”

Applewaite said Frenchville’s key performers so far included co-captain Olivia Dean, who is currently the second-highest run scorer, and bowler Courtney Finlay who is the third-highest wicket taker.

THE TOP 10s

Best bowlers and batters after five rounds

Batting

1. Gabby Macrae - Rockhampton Grammar - 138 runs

2. Olivia Dean - Frenchville - 135 runs

Rockhampton Brothers duo Megan Powell and Sam Olive.

3. Megan Powell - Rockhampton Brothers - 103 runs

4. Samantha Olive - Rockhampton Brothers - 89 runs

5. Adelaide McArthur - Rockhampton Grammar - 50 runs

6. Elise Bottcher - Gracemere - 48 runs

7. Darcie Moore - Rockhampton Grammar - 45 runs

8. Lila Atkinson - Rockhampton Grammar - 43 runs

9. Holly French - Gracemere - 40 runs

10. Courtney Finlay - Frenchville - 34 runs

Bowling

Rockhampton Grammar’s Adelaide McArthur.

1. Adelaide McArthur - Rockhampton Grammar - 6 wickets @ 8.33

2. Marie Chong - Frenchville - 4 wickets @ 7.25

3. Courtney Finlay - Frenchville - 4 wickets @ 7.75

4. Megan Powell - Rockhampton Brothers - 4 wickets @ 14.5

5. Lindsay Stafford - Rockhampton Brothers - 3 wickets @ 8.0

6. Jacienta Hinton - Capricorn Coast - 3 wickets @ 8.0

7. Kristen Solly - Gracemere - 3 wickets @ 9.67

8. Georgie Watson - Capricorn Coast - 3 wickets @ 11.33

9. Haylee Walters - Gracemere - 3 wickets @ 20.33

10. Alana Rowe - Rockhampton Brothers - 2 wickets @ 1.5