Wairarapa Korus with the national Under-19 trophy: Monique Rees, left, Gemma Sims, Kate Sims, Ocean Bartlett, Hattie Vincent. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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Five Wairarapa Korus had a strong hand in Central Districts’ victory at the national Under-19 women’s championship.
Central Districts wrapped up the title on Monday with an eight-wicket victory over Auckland in the final round of T20 matches at Lincoln near Christchurch.
Captain and allrounder Monique Rees, wicketkeeper Gemma Sims, pace bowler Kate Sims, allrounder Ocean Bartlett and pace bowler Hattie Vincent were the Wairarapa representatives in the team for the weeklong tournament, which included one-day and T20 games.
Rees’ involvement in the tournament was limited after she broke her wrist while fielding in the win over Wellington on Saturday.
The tournament did not start promisingly for Central Districts with their opening one-day game against Canterbury washed out.
That was followed by a two-wicket loss to Northern Districts in a one-day game on Wednesday.
Gemma Sims scored 26, and Bartlett took 1-26 and effected two runouts in that loss.
Central Districts hit form on Thursday with a five-wicket win over Otago in a one-day game.
Bartlett had a good double, taking 1-29 and then scoring 23 not out in chasing down Otago’s total of 184.
In the final one-day match against Wellington, Rees with 3-17, Bartlett with 2-17, Kate Sims with 1-13, and Hattie Vincent with 1-23, dominated the bowling as Wellington were dismissed for 141.
Gemma Sims opened the innings and was unbeaten on 47 when the winning runs were scored.
In Sunday’s first T20 against Auckland, Bartlett and Kate Sims each picked up 1-13 as Auckland were restricted to 102. Bartlett scored 17 in Central Districts’ three-wicket victory.
Central Districts then defeated Canterbury by 58 runs.
Bartlett again starred with 38 in Central Districts’ score of 130-5. Kate Sims took 2-12 as Canterbury were rolled for 72.
Central Districts secured the championship with an eight-wicket win in the last T20 match over Auckland on Monday. Kate Sims took 1-25 as Auckland were held to 106-5.
Bartlett wrapped up an excellent personal tournament with a superb unbeaten 54, as Central Districts scored the winning runs in 14.2 overs.
