Women's cricket a smash hit in the twilight

There was plenty of fun and laughter at Donnelly Fields last Friday, as round one of the inaugural Gunnedah-based Twilight Women’s Social Smash cricket event took place.

Two games were played from 7pm, with the Mooki Maidens encountering the Gwydir Girls while the Namoi Ninjas faced Peel Power.

Mooki scored 80 runs to Gwydir’s 76 while Namoi tallied 114 runs to Peel Power’s 101, with Namoi’s Zoe Fleming a standout performer with 28 runs and two run-outs with direct hits.

In any event there was little emphasis on the results, as the name of the game was enjoyment while the fixtures were played in social and light-hearted spirits.

Players batted in pairs, with each pair facing three overs before the next batting duo took over.

Each team had five runs deducted for each loss of wicket, while bowlers delivered six-ball overs as per usual.

Some of the players were regular local club cricketers, while others hadn’t played for a long time. Some even had their first hit-out, away from backyard cricket.

Indoor cricket representative player Leslee Finnerty adjusted to hitting the ball outdoors, and she cleared the boundary.

Many mums played with their daughters, while the Gwydir line-up featured Kate Knight and her daughters Heidi Knight and Sally Keeler, niece Kirra Natty and granddaughters Mackenzie and Charlette Keeler.

Round two will take place at the same venue this Friday night.