North Queensland Alliance under-15 girls: Central Qld goes through undefeated to win inaugural event

Coach Zach Wass sings the praises of his talented outfit. See who starred at the inaugural North Queensland Alliance under-15 girls championships here.

The victorious Central Queensland under-15 girls cricket team (back row, from left) manager Kelli Moore, Lila Atkinson, Darcie Moore, Grace Paine, Grace Rethamel, Jo-Marie Van Zyl, Mahli Rea, Lara French, coach Zach Wass and (front row, from left) Haylee Walters, Isabelle Barber, Evan Sullivan and Adelaide McArthur.

The Central Queensland under-15 girls have claimed a piece of cricket history.

They were the winners of the inaugural North Queensland Alliance under-15 girls championships played in Townsville last weekend.

The CQ outfit, made up of players from Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Gladstone and the Central Highlands, were unbeaten in their three games.

It was an impressive result given they used only 11 batters when teams were allowed to bat 12 with only the regulation 11 in the field.

Coach Zach Wass said they intended to take 12 but unfortunately Hannah Weekers had to withdraw last week and a replacement could not be found.

But the girls rose to the challenge, posting incredible performances with bat and ball.

Central Queensland's Mahli Rea received the Haidee Birkett Medal for Player of the Carnival at the North Queensland Alliance under-15 girls championships.

Gladstone’s Marli Rea was a standout.

The talented opener anchored the batting with scores of 83 (retired) off 44 balls, 29 off 23 balls and 54 off 71 balls in her three innings to be awarded the Haidee Birkett Medal for Player of the Carnival.

The champion CQ line-up was Rea, Grace Rethamel, Darci Moore (vice-captain), Evan Sullivan, Grace Paine, Isabelle Barber, Adelaide McArthur, Lila Atkinson (captain), Jo-Mari Van Zyl, Haylee Walters and Lara French.

Wass said while there were some incredible individual statistics, it was a whole team effort.

“It’s the most complete junior performance I’ve been involved in,” the experienced coach said.

The victorious Central Queensland under-15 girls cricket team (back row, from left) manager Kelli Moore, Lila Atkinson, Darcie Moore, Grace Paine, Grace Rethamel, Jo-Marie Van Zyl, Mahli Rea, Lara French, coach Zach Wass and (front row, from left) Haylee Walters, Isabelle Barber, Evan Sullivan and Adelaide McArthur.

“In every game, every player contributed.

“It was great seeing the way the girls developed over the carnival, and that last victory was the culmination of their hard work.”

CQ opened its campaign with a win over North Queensland.

They made 2/171 from their 20 overs, while restricting their opponents to 7/105.

Rea (83) and Grace Rethamel (53 retired) were the top scorers, while Jo-Mari Van Zyl bagged 2/9 off two overs.

In their second game, CQ batting first made 135 against Far North Queensland who in reply managed 7/121.

Central Queensland players (in yellow) Grace Rethamel, Darcy Moore and Mahli Rea received awards for scoring 50s at the North Queensland Alliance under-15 girls championships.

Darcie Moore top-scored with 50, while the team’s best with the ball were Erin Sullivan (2/15) and Myla Atkinson (1/9).

CQ then took on Mackay-Whitsunday in a 40-over contest, scoring a commanding victory.

Batting first again, they posted 5/203 and went on to skittle their rivals for 75 in the 24th over.

Rea (54) and Moore (48) were the main contributors with the bat, while there were eight wicket takers including Rethamel (3/1) and Van Zyl (2/9) and Haylee Walters and Adelaide McArthur who claimed their first scalps of the competition.

Wass said the Central Queensland and Mackay-Whitsunday players were vying for selection in the Central Infernos side, which will play in the state carnival in Brisbane in December.