Hong Kong Women's League XI beat NSW tourists

A Hong Kong Women's League XI defeated a touring team from Waratah-Mayfield District CC of New South Wales in a Twenty20 match played at Kowloon Cricket Club yesterday. It was the first ever 11-a-side match played by a touring women's cricket team to Hong Kong.

The Waratah-Mayfield DCC team are in Hong Kong for the first time and took the Women's Division title at the Ichor International Hong Kong Cricket Festival 2007 at the weekend.

But in a very close match yesterday afternoon they just failed to overhaul the HK League XI's total of 111 for 4.

For the HK League XI Sarah Eames contributed 11, captain Keenu Gill 22, Kym Tonkin 20 and a useful partnership of 23 between Kaori Iida and Godiva Li took the HK to their total of 111-4 in the allotted 20 overs.

The Waratah-Mayfield girls, all of whom are 18 or under, had bowled and fielded impressively, particularly opening bowlers Samantha Bates (1-11 from 3 overs) and Kirsten (0-8 from 3 overs).

In reply for the tourists, there were useful contributions from Elise De Boadita who made 18 (the day after her 18th birthday!), Phoebe Rogers (23) and skipper Fiona McKenzie who looked very assured until popping up a catch to Sarah Eames off Mariko Hill when on 23.

Just as the Waratah-Mayfield girls were homing in on the target, Mariko bowled Phoebe, who was looking like bringing the tourists home, and Waratah wickets then tumbled regularly to some accurate HK bowling, especially from Dominique who took 2 wickets in a tense 17th over. Sabba bowled Bianca Lowe in the 18th over and the Waratah-Mayfield's tail failed to wag, leaving the tourists all out for 103.

It was an enjoyable match for the teams, both unfamiliar with the Twenty20 format, and spectators. HKCA would like to thank Kevin Bishop, Ramesh Thadani and Simon Hill for officiating and Kowloon CC for making their ground available.

The Waratah-Mayfield tour group visit Shenzhen on Thursday before playing their final tour match versus Hong Kong Cricket Club at Hong Kong Cricket Club on Friday from 1pm.

- Mark Burns

Hong Kong League XI

• Keenu Gill (Captain)
• Sarah Eames
• Dominique
• Kym Tonkin
• Kaori Iida
• Godiva Li
• Mariko Hill
• Manpreet
• Smita
• Karen
• Sabba

Waratah-Mayfield DCC

• Hayley Bannon
• Elise De Boadita
• Fiona McKenzie
• Samantha Bates
• Phoebe Rogers
• Kirsten Pedder
• Bianca Lowe
• Courtney Coggin
• Amanda O'Dell
• Clare De Boadita
• Emily

Umpires: Kevin Bishop & Ramesh Thadani
Scorer: Simon Hill

Result: Hong Kong Women's League XI won by 8 runs