Palmerston North Girls’ High School signed off a perfect campaign at Lincoln University, sealing the Girls’ First XI Cup with five wins from five matches.
Their unbeaten run culminated in a tense seven-wicket triumph over runners-up St Margaret’s College, chasing down 134 with just four balls to spare.
PNGHS team MVP Zara Thompson anchored the chase with a composed 49, falling agonisingly short of a deserved half-century.
Skipper Penny Lovegrove applied the finishing touches in style, blasting 20 from nine balls to steer her side home and complete a memorable title-winning performance.
St Margaret’s College emerged as the closest challengers, securing second place with three wins and a memorable chase of 154/3 against Takapuna Grammar, the tournament’s highest successful pursuit.
Their campaign was spearheaded by Ciara Hartland, whose extraordinary return of 392 runs at an average of 130.67 set a benchmark for batting excellence and earned her the Tournament MVP accolade.
St Margaret’s second-place finish at their maiden First XI Cup tournament appearance completes a remarkable turnaround for cricket at the school, and positive signs for the future of cricket at the school.
The battle for mid-table honours was fiercely contested, with Takapuna Grammar School, Ōtūmoetai College, and Tawa College all finishing on four points apiece.
Ōtūmoetai College walked away with 3rd place honours - their schools best finish at the First XI Cup – courtesy of their final day victory over Takapuna.
Tawa College produced the tournament’s highest team total of 206/1, showcasing their talent despite mixed results.
Otago Girls’ High School managed just one win, but produced spirited performances in the face of adversity including two player injuries.
New Zealand Cricket would like to thank all players, staff, and supporters for making the 2025 First XI Cup an occasion to remember.
For all tournament scorecards and statistics, click here.
Standings:
- Palmerston North Girls’ High School
- St Margarets College
- Ōtūmoetai College
- Takapuna Grammar
- Tawa College
- Otago Girls’ High School
Tournament Awards
- Tournament MVP: Ciara Hartland (St Margarets College) – 392 runs @ 130.67.
- Spirit of Cricket: Palmerston North Girls' HS
Team MVP’s
- Miah Smith (Ōtūmoetai College) – 275 runs @ 68.75, 8 wickets @ 15.25.
- Jessica Gearry (St Margarets College) – 127 runs @ 127.
- Zara Thompson (PNGHS) – 139 runs @ 34.75, 2 catches & 1 stumping.
- Alice Ussher (OGHS) – 136 runs @ 27.2, 3 wickets.
- Lily Campbell (Tawa College) – 134 runs @ 26.8.
- Dorothea Waldron (Takapuna Grammar) – 184 runs @ 36.8, 5 wickets at 22.4.
