Tara Murray
It was a winning start for Werribee’s women’s team as it embarked on a new challenge in the Cricket Victorian Women’s Community Cricket Competition.
After a successful first season of having women’s teams last season, including a premiership and the other side making the grand final, the Tigers top side has changed competition.
Having played in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association last season, the club has moved to the CVWCCC to give players greater opportunities with their cricket.
The second side remains in the NWMCA in the social competition.
Tigers coach Ivo Havard said they wanted to provide pathways for female players of all ages and continue to grow the program. He said they had looked at entering this competition last season.
“We have nine rounds of T20 and nine rounds of 35 over cricket,” he said.
“It’s a pretty good competition by the looks of it. Our program is really strong and we wanted to give a pathway of longer over game.
“That’s the main thing for choosing the competition.”
Harvard said several of the sides were nervous stepping up to the new competition, but they had no reason to be concerned as they looked comfortable and right at home.
He said there were several players from last season’s premiership side in the team this year.
“There’s at least six or seven,” he said. “And there were about four news ones today. There were more girls that we could pick as well.
“It’s a really good quality program and the Werribee Junior Cricket Club has been great.”
It was a convincing start to the CVWCCC Shield 3 competition, easily accounting for Sydenham-Hillside.
The Storm made 5-105 from their overs, with it all single wicket takers for the Tigers. In a good sign, nine players got the opportunity to bowl.
Werribee’s top order then did the job with the bat.
Gurveer Padam top scored with 47 not out, while Danielle Hills retired on 29 as the Tigers finished 0-106.
The NWMCA team is yet to kick off their season. Harvard said they didn’t know what division the side would be in.
In other results, Coburg (2) easily accounted for Melton Centrals, Craigieburn had no troubles against Clifton Hill (2), while Keilor and Ballarat Women’s (2) both had byes.
Werribee this week will face Craigieburn.
