The official start to the Sydney women’s first and second grade season began at Raby on Sunday as all Sydney teams converged on Raby.
Every Sydney women’s club, complete with their Australian Test Stars and NSW representatives, contested Round 1 which featured eight T/20 matches at the perfect “Cricket Carnival” set up at the Raby Sports Complex.
The world’s best women’s domestic club competition aligned itself side by side on the four Raby grounds as rides, jumping castles and barbecues also entertained the spectators.
And if Saturday was McHappy Day for Sarah Coyte, Sunday was “McHappier Day” as she led the Ghosts to a convincing win over the Northern Districts Cricket Club on the main ground. Sarah bowled superbly taking 3-14 to assist the Ghosts in restricting the visitors to 8-125 after their allotted 20 overs.
Sarah (pictured in a pre-match interview) then returned to the field to open the batting for the locals. She then went about demoralising the Northern Districts ladies with a ruthless display of batting. Sarah’s 86 not out assisted the Ghosts in passing the visitors total inside 17 overs.
The Ghosts second grade women’s team were equally impressive in their season opener scoring152 for the loss of 2 wickets off their twenty overs against Northern Districts. Kelsey Miller was the star with the bat scoring 82 not out. Kelsey was well supported by her twin sister Bec Miller (24) and Reanan Stanton (23). The Ghosts girls bowled tightly restricting the ND’s to 121 from their 20 overs.
Over at Penrith the Ghosts Brewer Shield Under 17 women’s team topped off a magnificent Sunday for the CCDCC. On the back of a great innings of 58 runs by Tahlia Wilson the Ghosts totaled 168 and then returned with the ball to completely shut out the Penrith side.
Penrith were all out for 78 as Jess Langford (3-14) and Captain Haylee Hoffmeister (2-6) led the rest of the Ghosts bowlers who all applied pressure.
On Saturday the Ghosts Third Grade women’s team failed to defend their total of 43 after being sent in by a strong St George- Sutherland side. Jemma Barnes was the pick of the Ghosts bats whilst Sonia Collins bowled superbly.
Next Sunday all three Ghosts women’s teams will be at Raby alongside the Men’s Under 21 Poidevin Gray Shield team who open their season against North Sydney. This promises to be another great day of cricket at Raby.
Jason Ellsmore
