An explosive death over batting performance from Angelique Peyroux and Harriet Cuttance led the New Zealand Maori Schoolgirls to a remarkable victory over a Governor General Blaze XI at Karori Park this afternoon.
Governor General’s Blaze XI 124/6 (Bei Reid 22, Andrea Stockwell 17, Marama Downes 1-10) lost to New Zealand Maori Schoolgirls 125/6 (Kayana Jones-Dennes 29, Angelique Peyroux 17, Michelle McKay 2-13) by four wickets
With 34 runs still required to win from the final three overs chasing the Governor General XI’s target of 125, the Maori Schoolgirls pair pulled off a near impossible chase with an array of boundary hitting to bring their side home with three balls to spare.
Earlier the Governor General XI had limped to a par total of 124 – Bei Reid (22) and Andrea Stockwell (17) top scoring – after the Maori Schoolgirls bowlers restricted their opposition with some effective, tight bowling.
The chase had started comfortably for the Maori Schoolgirls and at 61-2 with ten overs remaining the result looked likely to go their way.
But a tight five-over spell from Bethany Trethewey (2-17) and Michelle McKay (2-13) which brought three Maori Schoolgirls wickets for just 25 runs swung the game back in the Governor General XI’s favor.
But with just three overs remaining and 34 runs still required to win Peyroux and Cuttance began swinging taking thirteen from the 18th over and 6 from the 19th to leave just five required from the final over.
Peyroux fell for 17 off 13 to the first ball, but Cuttance kept her cool and wrapped the match up with a boundary to lead her side to two wins from two and wrap up a memorable day in the Capital for the inaugural Maori Schoolgirls side.
New Zealand Maori Schoolgirls 146/7 (Ocean Bartlett 50, Kayana Jones-Dennes 26, Rachel Bryant 3-25) beat Wellington Schoolgirls Invitational XI 120/6 (Jamie Mason-Jones 24, Antonia Hamilton 22, Angelique Peyroux 3-24) by 26 runs
Earlier in the day, a big opening stand from Ocean Bartlett and Kayarna Jones-Dennes led the Maori Schoolgirls to a convincing 26-run win over a Wellington Invitational Schoolgirls XI.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first the pair put on 73 runs for the first wicket which proved to be the difference as the Maori Schoolgirls reached 146 from their 20 overs.
Bartlett was the pick of the batters putting on an impressive run-a-ball 50 with good help from Jones-Dennes who made 26 from 24 balls before falling to a good ball from Ava Conroy.
The opener’s partnership provided a strong platform for the Maori Schoolgirls as Ella Drumm (18 off 11) and Angelique Peyroux (17* off 11) both added handy runs to take their side to a competitive total.
In response, the Wellington Schoolgirls chase never gained momentum.
Antonia Hamilton (22), and recent Wellington Blaze debutants Jamie Mason-Jones (24) and Georgia Plimmer (20) all made starts but none could convert to a big score to anchor the innings.
Peyroux was the standout bowler for the Maori Schoolgirls, removing both openers and then Rachel Bryant for 8 to finish with figures of 3-24 from her four overs.
Bryant’s wicket inside the tenth over with the Wellington Schoolgirl’s total at 78 was key and the chase fell away from there with no remaining batters able to find a start.
Marama Downes (0-12 off 4) and Harriet Cuttance (1-18 off 4) were tight with the ball at the death, restricting the Wellington Schoolgirls to just 19 runs from the final five overs helping their side over the line and capping off a memorable day for the inaugural Maori Schoolgirls team.
