Tawa College triumph at 2024 Girls First XI Cup, going unbeaten through four matches to take out the tournament and bring home a third national title in school history.

A strong final day for the Wellingtonians saw them pick up a 5-wicket victory against runners up Christchurch Girls’ HS, before beating Ōtūmoetai College by 69 runs in the afternoon round.

Captain and tournament top wicket-taker Ava Conroy (11 wickets) shone for Tawa, taking four wickets against CGHS (4-1) and picking up the match-winning wicket (1-4) in the afternoon.

Yvanni Gibson (31 off 18 and 32 off 23) stood up for Tawa in both matches, top-scoring with a pair of important 30’s through the middle order.

Christchurch Girls’ HS proved themselves as worth runners up, only losing to eventual winners, Tawa, and showing some real improvement from last year’s tournament.

Captain and tournament top run-scorer Sacha Arnold (198 runs) led the way for her side all tournament, capped off by a breathtaking century (103* off 60) in final match against Palmerston North Girls’ HS.

Elise Dill-Russell impressed with the ball throughout the tournament for CGHS, finishing as third highest wicket-taker (9 wickets), and grabbing two key wickets (2-16) in their final match against PNGHS.

Takapuna Grammar finished their week in style with a 69-run victory against PNGHS and a 108-run victory against St Hilda’s Collegiate.

Rishika Jaswal (182 runs and 10 wickets) took home the Tournament MVP award for a second year running, her efforts seeing TGS to a solid third place finish.

Palmerston North Girls’ HS and St Hilda’s Collegiate both recorded one victory to finish fourth and fifth respectively, with Ōtūmoetai finishing sixth in their first First XI Cup appearance.

New Zealand Cricket would like to thank all players, parents and coaches for a great week of cricket.

NZC also extend a big thank you to all tournament officials, ground staff and Lincoln University for providing a first-class experience for the players.

For all tournament statistics and scorecards, visit the Girls First XI Cup Competition Centre.

AWARDS

WINNERS: Tawa Colle

RUNNERS UP: Christchurch Girls’ High School

TOURNAMENT MVP: Rishika Jaswal - 182 runs @ 60.67, 10 wickets @ 2.70.

TEAM MVP’s:

• CGHS – Sacha Arnold - 198 runs @ 66, 3 wickets @ 13.33.
• OC – Mackenzie Grant – 104 runs @ 52, 4 wickets @ 23.75.
• PNGHS – Aria Kearney – 104 runs @ 52, 1 wicket.
• SHC – Hannah O’Connor – 63 runs @ 21, 1 wicket.
• TC – Maiarangi Waipara – 32 runs @ 10.67, 3 catches, 2 stumpings.
• TGS – Raiha Jeory Reynolds – 92 runs @ 22.5, 4 catches, 1 stumping.

SPIRIT OF CRICKET: Tawa College