Tawa College girls win national cricket crown
Spearheaded by Melie Kerr and Makaylah Mason-Jones, Tawa College dominated the New Zealand secondary schoolgirls’ cricket championships in Palmerston North in December.
Kerr was named player of the tournament and MasonJones was equal top wicket taker, but they were strongly supported by a solid all-round team effort.
In their first game, against Whangarei Girls’ High School, Melie Kerr made an impressive unbeaten 50 and Tawa scored 100-4 in just 11 overs when rain interrupted play.
Whangarei, set a revised target of 45 runs in five overs, made 36-5 in reply. Megan Macrae took 2-5 runs and Jess Kerr bowled a crucial tight fourth over.
Tawa’s second game was against 2013 runners-up St Hilda’s Collegiate, who had two Otago Sparks players in their ranks.
Makaylah Mason-Jones topscored for Tawa with 35 and Megan Macrae added a useful 24 not out getting her team through to 115-6.
Tawa then turned on outstanding bowling and fielding performance. Jess Kerr knocked over the St Hilda’s top order, taking 3-12 in her four overs. Makaylah MasonJones capped off a great game by taking 3-8, and Melie Kerr took 2-10, as well as contributing two run outs and a catch.
Entering their third game, Tawa knew if they beat Auckland’s top college, St Kentigern, they would win the national title.
Tawa openers Melie Kerr and Mason- Jones batted through the innings and scored 104 without loss. Kerr reached 63 not out and Mason- Jones 36 not out, a magnificent effort. Kerr fin- ished as the top run-scorer in the tournament and had a batting average of 121.
St Kents struggled against the strong Tawa bowling attack.
Jess Kerr and Roshani Thuraisingham each bowled their four overs straight and after eight overs St Kents were restricted to just 15-1. They were eventually bowled out for 62. Mason-Jones 2-14, Melie Kerr 2- 10, Megan Macrae 2-10 and Phoenix Williams 3-6.
Tawa lose only one player this year so will be strong contenders to retain the title.