A surprise finals’ berth could be around the corner for Gisborne’s women’s cricket team.
With several new players and a young playing group, finals were the last thing the Dragons envisaged at the start of their Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Shield season.
The Dragons currently sit fourth with three rounds remaining, but missed the opportunity to claim another win against bottom side Coburg on Sunday.
Wet weather on Saturday night and Sunday morning meant the game was called off before a ball was bowled.
Both teams were awarded three points. It’s the fourth draw of the season for the Dragons.
First year coach Tim Bannan said his side has gone from strength to strength as the season has progressed.
“We started the year off slow,” he said. “We had four or five girls who hadn’t played cricket before.
“The girls have improved 100 per cent since they started in the pre-season … there’s been a bit of education from the older girls.”
Sarah Gunn was again the standout for the Dragons, averaging more than 47 with the bat, including one century and three fifties. Gunn has been well supported by experienced duo Amy White and Anne Walton.
In a pleasing sign for Bannan, the younger girls have stood up when Gunn and other experienced players missed matches. Many in the side still play junior cricket as well.
“Our wicketkeeper Tanae [Bannan] came through the juniors and has only been playing for a couple of years. She’s only 16,” he said. “Shaelee [Bannan] is 12 and has taken a couple of bags of wickets. Lucy Gauci is another one who is also 12.
“And then there’s a couple of girls who travelled down from Sunbury in the pre-season and have joined the side.”
Central Highlanders’ junior state championship representatives Bianca McKay, Bridget and Imogen Barlow have also played for the Dragons women’s side this season.
As for finals, Bannan said that would be a bonus. Despite the Dragons’ youth this season, they would take some experience into finals, after making both the one-day and T20 finals last season.
“It’s not something we thought about at the start of the year, losing a few experienced players,” Bannan said. “You never know what can happen.”
The Dragons host Melbourne on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Dragons’ Gavin McKay was named the Central Highlands representative coach of the year on Friday night.
