Auckland Cricket has this afternoon officially added the NZC Gillette Venus Women's Under 19 trophy to the men's NZC Gillette Men's Under 19 silverware in their bursting cabinet this season.
Auckland's double feat at Bert Sutcliffe Oval continues a trend in recent years at the premier NZC male and female age-group tournaments - Wellington having won the twin titles last summer, and the year before in 2021/22, Central Districts having won both titles.
Despite having been beaten by Otago Under 19 in the final T20 round this morning in Lincoln, the young Aucklanders already had the national championship sewn up - finishing on 21 points, three ahead of defending champion Wellington who take home the runner-up mantle this season after finishing with a consolation victory over Northern Districts.
Otago's victory saw them overtake Central Districts for third place.
Leading performers
Auckland's Kate Irwin, who was contracted to the Auckland Hearts for the first time ahead of this season, finished as the tournament's top batter.
Irwin scored 287 runs, including a century and two half centuries, from seven games to average 41.00 across the two formats.
The Takapuna teen's closes rival was Dunedin's Isy Parry who also enjoyed a standout tournament with 242 runs from her seven games at 48.40, including the other century at this year's nationals, as well as one half century.
Central Districts' Cara Holland, from Taranaki; Otago rep Chloe Deerness (Dunedin) and Wellington's Isla McKenzie all finished with 13 wickets at the head of the bowling charts.
Otago Country's Caitlin Scherp was a busy contributor to her side as the top wicketkeeper of the week with eight catches and a stumping.
All images: PHOTOSPORT
