The Maureen Peters women’s T20 competition comes to an end tomorrow as Wellington Collegians face-off against defending champions Hutt District at Anderson Park.

Both sides have dominated the competition and have secured qualification for the final with a round to spare – Collegians have the bye today, while Hutt District face Petone-Riverside before tomorrow’s final.

Wellington Collegians sit top of the ladder ahead of today’s final round of play with six wins and two losses from their eight matches.

Collegians have carried the momentum from winning the Joy Lamason Trophy into T20 mode, despite losing captain Elizabeth O’Connor Scurr to injury. 

Right-arm off-spinner Abby Carr has been a star of Collegians’ T20 campaign. The 16-year-old leads the competition wicket-taking charts with 14 and averages just 12, while Wellington Blaze seamer Beth Molony and Livia Chambers have made handy contributions with the ball throughout the competition.

Collegians also have match-winners with the bat. Florence Marshall has 179 runs to her name in this year’s competition and currently sits third on the run-scoring charts. The wicketkeeper batter has contributed regularly with the bat, including a top-score of 69 not out against Petone-Riverside in round five and is the overall top run-scorer in the women’s grade across both competitions this year.

Co-coach Des Boyer said tomorrow’s final would cap off a turnaround summer for his side.

“What a difference 12 months make,” he said.

“After finishing fourth overall last season, some great off-season transfers and pre-season training has meant the team has been humming all season.

“We’re looking forward to playing Hutt District in the final on Sunday, they always push us to play better, and we will have to do exactly that if we want to win."

Captain Nicole Baird said she was looking forward to seeing what her side could do in the final.

"It's been awesome to see our team grow a lot each during the season. We are looking forward to a challenging final this weekend and seeing all the amazing female talent on show!"

Hutt District have only lost once throughout the whole T20 competition and a win over Petone-Riverside today will see them finish top of the ladder heading into the final.

Captain Olivia Boivin has been in strong form with the bat. The Wellington Blaze allrounder is second on the run-scoring chart with 184 runs from five innings at an average of over 61.

Boivin praised her side’s form heading into the final match of the senior women’s summer.

“We've had a great T20 campaign, remaining unbeaten until the ninth round,” she said.

“We're hoping to repeat our performance against collegians in round 3 of the competition which was a real team effort - with multiple high scoring partnerships and quality bowling backed up in the field.

“It's always a close contest between Hutt and Collegians - their side will be stronger than what we have faced during the competition due to the return of Blaze bowler Beth Molony.

“The key to a victory for us on Sunday will be taking our chances and building partnerships - we've just got to focus on doing the simple stuff well and we should have a good chance at bringing it home.”

Emma Austin has also showed strong form with the bat for Hutt Districts. The right-hander has 163 runs from her six innings and is the fourth highest run-scorer in the competition.

Hutt also possess plenty of talent with the ball, with Hannah Kells, Sophie Telfer and Christine Blunden all putting in important performances with the ball throughout the campaign.

Hutt will likely come into this one as the favourites. They overcame Collegians in both of the previous T20 meetings this campaign – by five wickets in round three and again by 18 runs in round eight.

Play gets underway from Anderson Park at 12.30 tomorrow and is the main attraction of Cricket Wellington’s Female Festival of Cricket.

TEAMS

Wellington Collegians | Nicole Baird (c), Kahlyss Boyer, Abby Carr, Livia Chambers, Amanda Cooper, Allex Evans, Phoebe Jones, Gretchen Mcaleer, Florence Marshall, Beth Molony, Elizabeth O’Connor Scurr, Zoe Wishnowsky

Hutt District | Olivia Boivin (c), Emma Austin, Christine Blunden, Ruby Campbell-Stokes, Rose Fenton, Alanah Goldingham, Antonia Hamilton, Hannah Kells, Sasha MacArthur, Alex Peters, Sophie Telfer, Bethany Trethewey

FORM (pre round 10)
Wellington Collegians | W W L W W W L W
Hutt District | W W W W W W L

UMPIRES | John Dent, Jordan Tew

MAUREEN PETERS T20 FINAL
Wellington Collegians v Hutt District
Sunday 28 March | 12.30pm
Anderson Park

Article added: Friday 26 March 2021