Sport
14 September, 2022
Cricketers bat to success
A TEAM of determined young Atherton High School senior girls have taken out the Northern Queensland Conference final in Mackay, led by their captain and young cricket star Amy Hunter.
After two successful qualifying rounds in both the local and regional competitions, the ladies team made the trip down to Mackay to compete against some of the best school aged players in the region.
The game was tough with the girls having to face the cruel and unpredictable weather conditions, but they dominated their first game against Kirwan State High School.
It wasn’t long until they had seven wickets at the end of the eighth over to progress to the final against Rockhampton Grammar later in the day.
Strategically electing to bowl first, the girls headed out to give it their all. In a race against the impending weather, the girls stepped up against a formidable Rockhampton Grammar batting line up, collecting two wickets in the first over.
A run out by Teresa Isabella followed by Amy Hunter’s pearler of a delivery dismissed their number two and three respectively.
The wickets dried up for a few overs as Rockhampton tallied towards a workable total, before a screamer of a catch by Amelia Geddes on the boundary dismissed their gun batter on 65 off the bowling of Kate Hunter.
The team rallied and wickets began flowing again, with Rockhampton Grammar posting a total of 122 to win.
As the rain began to close in, so did the Atherton High ladies. The run chase was quickly begun by openers Teresa Isabella and Amy Hunter.
Making a quickfire five runs, Teresa was soon caught behind in the fourth over and they continued to lose another two wickets in the same over to some quality leg spin, leaving Amy stuck at the crease just needing someone to hang around.
It was her sister Kate who came in to resolve the issue, remaining at the crease for ten overs, Kate held up an end, ensuring her sister had the majority of the strike.
Passing 50 in the twelfth over, Amy didn’t stop there, proceeding to crush a total of 85 not out; consisting of sixteen boundaries, steering the girls to the North Queensland Division Championship in the sixteenth over.
The team played intensely and their efforts have been recognised and congratulated by the school and community.
