Fairholme’s southern stars dominate T20 final

They span six years, but this incredible group of Fairholme College girls have come together to reach the Queensland T20 senior final.

STATE BOUND: The victorious Fairholme College side at the StreetSmarts T20 Secondary Senior Girls Southern Conference (Back, from left) Sophie Khan, Olivia Clark, Ruth Johnston, Emma Jackson, Mia Lethbridge, Georgia Voll, Tony Tregaskis (coach). (Front, from left) Phoebe Callcott, Eloise McKenzie, Gina Bidgood, Emily Clark (c) and Chloe Pallisier. Picture: Fairholme College

CRICKET: Fairholme College will have the chance to add another state title to their ranks.

The senior female cricket side were at their dominant best in the StreetSmarts T20 Secondary Senior Girls Southern Conference final on Monday.

Their metropolitan opponent of Brisbane State High School was no concern, as they came away with a big 151-run victory to book their ticket to Townsville for the state final.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Fairholme was clinical in its time at the crease, finishing at 3-220.

Ruth Johnston top-scored with 87 and Georgia Voll was strong with 65, as Gina Bidgood (22) and Emily Clark (18) finished unbeaten.

They were never tested in Brisbane State’s run chase, as they finished their innings at 9-69, with Voll taking 4-6 and Olivia Clark 2-14.

Fairholme’s side is comprised of girls from Year 7 through to Year 12, something captain Emily Clark said hasn’t been an issue for the side.

“We’re a pretty tight-knit group of girls and each have our own capabilities,” Clark said.

“We have all-rounders, a few batsmen and a few bowlers, and we work really nicely as a team.

“It’s the first time Fairholme has ever really had a cricket team that has progressed this far.

“It’s the first cricket team we’ve had in five years or so. It’s a really good experience for all the girls just to get involved in cricket and create that pathway.”

Voll said despite only being together since the start of the year, they’ve been able to improve with every contest.

“We’ve been playing together just this year, and I think we’ve grown as a team,” Voll said.

“We’ve kept getting better with things such as reducing wides and stuff like that.”

They will now face off in the state final against Kirwan SHS in Townsville next month, something Ruth Johnston is eagerly anticipating.

“I’ve never been there before so it will be an experience. We’re flying up a day earlier to be around each other and get ready for the game,” Johnston said.

“We don’t know much about them so it will be a bit of a surprise, but we’ll just go out, play and have fun.”

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