NATIONAL CHAMPIONS IN THE VENUS CUP!
The ST MATTHEW'S COLLEGIATE First XI is the toast of Masterton, Wairarapa, and all of CD after winning the 2023 NZC VENUS CUP Nationals!
Captained by Central Hind EMMA McLEOD - who scored the very first T20 century in the tournament's history, then backed it up with an even bigger hundred, St Matt's went undefeated across the three days in Lincoln, where they were up against Takapuna Grammar (Auckland's regional winner), Tauranga Girls' College (ND), Wellington Girls' College, Christchurch Girls' High and St Hilda's Collegiate (Otago).
PHOTOSPORT
St Matts showed what a great team and a great cricket programme is all about, and CDCA is thrilled to congratulate all the players, coaches, teachers and everyone who supported these champions along the way.
McLeod was named one of two tournament MVPs, and AVA REGISTER was named as the St Matt's team MVP.
The trophy caps an exciting and consistent few years for St Matt's who have won the right to represent CD at the Venus Cup for three of the past four years, and produced Central Hinds representatives like McLeod and OCEAN BARTLETT, as well as CD age-group representatives.
2024 CD FINALS
Term one of the 2024 school year will see the top four qualifying schools in CD compete for the new season's title, at Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North, on 27 March 2024 - with 28 March the reserve day in the event of bad weather.
MATCH REPORTS
ROUND ONE
St Matthew’s Collegiate 99/3 (Vanessa Taylor 52, Ava Register 3/16) beat Wellington Girls’ College 98/9 (Kate Chandler 32, F Larsen 1/9), Bert Sutcliffe Oval
St Matthew’s Collegiate opened their Venus Cup campaign in style with a seven-wicket victory over Wellington Girls’ College.
Bowling first, St Matt's struck early through Ava Register who was able to remove both openers and give her side early momentum. Kate Chandler (32) was the sole WGC batter to reach double figures as St Matt’s continued to take regular wickets through Vanessa Taylor (2/6) and Sophie Sweeney (2/21).
Despite an early wicket to Jessica Robinson (1/6), St Matt's gained control thanks to an 85-run partnership between Vanessa Taylor (52*) and Sally Booth (31). The Central Districts regional champs cantered home in the 17th over.
ROUND TWO
St Matthew’s Collegiate 166/5 (Emma McLeod 101*, Ava Register 3/30) beat St Hilda’s Collegiate 160/8 (HE Wilson 51, HK Wilson 2/29), Lincoln No. 3
St Matthew’s Collegiate and St Hilda’s Collegiate (coached by former Central Hind Kate Ebrahim) met on Lincoln No. 3 – supporters of both sides given a treat as this one went down to the wire in the battle to stay unbeaten.
After being sent in to bat, St Matthew’s openers, Emma McLeod (101*) and Sally Booth (23), put together an outstanding display – totaling 102 runs before the loss of a wicket. Captain McLeod played a magnificent knock, swatting eighteen fours, and batting through the innings to finish with an unbeaten century. Seeing that their skipper was on fire, the St Matt's batters did a good job of rotating strike and playing the supporting act.
Both Hannah K Wilson (2/29) and Hannah E Wilson (1/12) performed well for St Hilda’s, fighting hard to get reward late in the innings.
Despite two early wickets to Ava Register (3/30), St Hilda’s would not go down without a fight. Chloe Deerness (28) and Hannah E Wilson (51) combined for a crucial 61-run partnership before the loss of Deerness. Wilson continued on her way with the support of Hannah O’Connor, putting together 47 runs – and getting their side to 129 runs and in position to potentially win the match.
Enter Vanessa Taylor (2/19) and India Bartlett (1/20), who took the valuable wickets of O’Connor and Wilson in consecutive overs and so swinging the momentum back in St Matt’s favour. St Hilda’s kept fighting until the end – requiring 18 off the last over, but agonisingly fell six runs short.
ROUND THREE
St Matthews Collegiate 102/5 (Emma McLeod 41 & 3/14) beat Takapuna Grammar 101/10 (M Scott 22, S Hallman 2-20), Lincoln Green
After both scheduled rounds on the middle day of the tournament were washed out, the planned 1v2, 3v4 and 5v6 Finals were canned, and instead two rounds were played the following day to decide the tournament in the fairest manner possible.
Unbeaten teams Takapuna Grammar and St Matthew’s College met on the last morning, a crucial match for both sides.
St Matthew’s decision to bowl first paid off as Lucy Jurlina (2/16) dismissed the dangerous Rishika Jaswal. St Matt's showed they were well in the battle by securing two important runouts, claiming the wicket of Takapuna’s top scorer, Maia Scott (23). Following a great start, they continued to pick up wickets through captain Emma McLeod (3/14) and Vanessa Taylor (2/10), seeing Takapuna bowled out in the 19th over for 101 runs.
Openers McLeod (41) and Sally Booth (22) then put in a valuable opening stand, making it to the 12th over before Izzy Fox (1/13) removed Booth. Captain Scout Hallman (2/20), Jaswal (1/18), and Fox worked hard for Takapuna, but it was to be in vain. Contributions from Vanessa Taylor (13) and Francesca Wells (11*) helping St Matt's to a win in the 19th over.
ROUND FOUR
St Matthew’s Collegiate 219/4 (E McLeod 133, S Sweeney 1/11) beat Christchurch Girls’ HS 137/4 (Heidi Clouston 2/30), Lincoln Green
PHOTOSPORT
St Matthew’s put the stamp on their fine Venus Cup campaign with an 82-run victory over Christchurch Girls', sealing the title of Venus Cup champions for 2023.
A scintillating innings from McLeod saw her strike 23 fours and one six, her strike rate at just over 200. McLeod was picking gaps for fun, and showing her full array of shots in a record-breaking tournament high score. Vanessa Taylor (37) and Francesca Wells (28) played valuable hands to see their side total a whopping 219/4. Heidi Clouston (2/30) bowled a handy spell against the St Matthew’s onslaught, as did captain Sacha Arnold (1/32) who has impressed all tournament.
Christchurch Girls' fought valiantly in response, led by Lilah Cowan (57*) who played a classy knock, as well as captain Arnold (16) who came out of the blocks firing. Unfortunately for the Cantabrians, tight bowling and regular wickets made the mountain too high to climb, eventually losing by 82 runs. India Bartlett (1/6) and Sophie Sweeney (1/11) helped St Matts finish in style as the celebrations began.
Article added: Wednesday 13 December 2023
