Caroline Springs under-13 girls cricket team was the surprise winner of the Molly Strano Cup.
Held by the Western Region Junior Cricket Association, the cup is a junior girls’ competition for teams in Melbourne’s west.
Last season the cup included only three teams playing a handful of rounds – this year’s competition had six teams and 14 rounds.
Caroline Springs coach Shelly Carton said it was a thrill to see the team’s development over the season.
Carton stepped into the role after round four when she volunteered to help out the side.
“The aim was to just be able to play regular cricket each week and have fun and learn skills along the way,” she said.
Caroline Springs needed to win in the final round to make the final. It defeated Keilor Red to set up a grand final against Sanctuary Lakes.
Sanctuary Lakes had defeated Caroline Springs twice during the season, but the Falcons were in form for the grand final and won by 50 runs.
“They really lifted and everyone was doing the things they’d learnt during the season,” Carton said.
“The team worked well together. They were really excited to win and were jumping and up and down.”
Carton said regardless of the result, the girls were already winners as their skills had developed so much during the season.
The girls team was the only Caroline Springs cricket side to win a premiership this season.
The club is aiming to develop the girls cricket program and wants to add an under-15 team next season.
Details: Steve, spjcollins@bigpond.com
