Women's Country Cup Report
Central Highlands Cap off a Golden Year!
There has never been a more dominant region in women's cricket than what the Central Highlands have achieved this year. Having already taken out the U16 and U18 State Championships for the first time in their history the region carried this momentum into the year's final regional competition the Women's Country Cup.
The title defence was built around pathway players from the state championship and VWCA Premier 2s premiership players from Ballarat's Brown Hill CC. The combination worked extremely well as they went through the championships undefeated.
The SE Country Sharks entered a team for the first time and were unlucky to not chalk up a win but will go from strength to strength in future years. Many of the team will form the bulk of next season's new VWCA Mornington Peninsula side. When you have a 13 years old keeper in Evelyn Rannstrom looking more than capable behind the stumps you can understand the excitement that's growing in the region.
Three time winners Gippsland Pride were without some of their seasoned performers in Becky Stevens and Robyn Fitzpatrick however it highlighted the growing depth of players in the region coming through the Gippsland Women's Cricket League.
With all players under the age of 20 the Western Waves took a youth approach for this years championships. Last years player of the series, Emma Kearney, lead the youthful side with a number of players including Laura Speed, Steph Townsend and Lauren Purcell indicating there are some very good years ahead for the region.
Special mention must go to the Viewbank CC who were impeccable hosts of these championships. Paula Lennox and her crew of committee members added that extra something to ensure the players had enjoyable experience both on and off the field.
With the Northern Rivers and Barwon Rockets both showing interest in next years championships the Women' Country is shaping to be another hotly contested tournament.
