Geelong’s Kookaburra Under 15 Girls campaign has been a strong one and will culminate in a grand final against Prahran next Tuesday.
The opening round was abandoned due to rain and in round 2, Geelong defeated Box Hill by nine wickets with Erin Moloney snaring 4/7 and Zara Timpson three wickets. Captain April Chaudhary (33 not out) and Eloise Millard (31 not out) wiped off the small target with ease.
Geelong proved too good for Carlton in round 3, winning by seven wickets in a real team performance.
The round 4 game against Dandenong was abandoned after Geelong made 4/104 from 20 overs with Dandenong 0/12 in reply.
Round 5 against Essendon Maribyrnong Park was also abandoned, but Geelong defeated Greenvale in round 6 in a high quality game.
Clover McIlwaine made a fine 57 and Millard continued her consistent campaign with 55 from 57 deliveries in a final total of 9/212 from 40 overs. Greenvale responded well with the bat, but was bowled out for 177 with Timpson taking another three wickets.
In round 7, Geelong thrashed Plenty Valley, getting the opposition out for 69 with Charlotte Wythe taking 3/11. In reply, Geelong didn’t lose a wicket and passed the total in the 21st over with McIlwaine getting 34 not out and Chaudhary unbeaten on 26.
Geelong met Melbourne in the semi-final at Kardinia Park yesterday and was sent in to bat. Geelong struggled early against some tight bowling, but skipper and classy left-hander Chaudhary (74 not out) and Isabelle Kelly (30) resurrected the innings while Aria Huby played a superb knock to finish unbeaten on 40 from 36 balls. Geelong finished on 4/168 from 40 overs.
Geelong made early inroads into Melbourne’s batting line-up and eventually claimed 66-run win. Poppy Agg took three wickets with Millard and Timpson each snaring two.
