United and Freyberg battle for club title

The revitalised Manawatu¯ women’s club competition reaches its climax this weekend, as United and Freyberg face off in the twenty20 final.

The two teams play at Hokowhitu Park today in what promises to be a close encounter between two strong clubs.

The women’s season is divided in two and, in the pre-christmas competition, Marist beat Freyberg to claim the title honours.

Freyberg will be determined not to lose two finals in a season, but come up against a United team with strength in batting and bowling.

The two teams played each other last week in a dress rehearsal and Freyberg came out on top by six wickets.

But there are changes in the playing rosters thisweek for the nine-a-sidematch.

United were lastweek without star Tararua College schoolgirl batswoman Abby Treder, and top bowlers Brooke Tewake and Phoebemonk.

All three are playing thisweek, although United are without captain Kendyl Paget. Leesa Baker skippers the side in her absence. Rowena Campbell is also missing with a shoulder injury.

Baker said the teamwere feeling confident after a good season.

This season’s six-team competition is the first time a fullfledgedwomen’s league has been played in Manawatu¯ since the 1990s. Last season four teams took part in a competition, but they weren’t affiliated to clubs.

‘‘It’s been awesome,’’ Baker said. ‘‘We’ve had a couple of people back to cricket that haven’t been playing for a long time, and with the mix of younger and older players it’s been really good.’’

Freyberg co-captain Sarah Calkin said the team were down four players, former NZ bowler Sian Ruck and wicket-keeper Sam Battman, aswell asmotherdaughter combination Gabrielle and Fiona Read.

But among their lineup is Courtney Infield, who scored a ton against Marist earlier this month.

Calkin said last week’swin was a confidence booster, but the team had a few changes.

‘‘It definitely does put more pressure on the senior rep players of the team to fill their shoes and take on two roles.

‘‘We’re definitely still confident. We’ve got the fire in the belly.’’

Calkin echoed Baker’s comments about the success of the women’s competition, saying it had attractedmore players.

Manawatu¯ Cricket Association general manager James Lovegrove said it was possible the competition would grow by two teams next year.

‘‘It’s a really exciting competition because it mixes young up-and-coming players with really experienced and skilful players.

‘‘It’s fantastic for the young players to see that those older players still have a lot of class about them.’’

Marist and Palmerston North Girls’ High School play off for third and Feilding and Dannevirke battle for fifth. The final starts at 3pm.