Women's Cricket
Women’s cricket was introduced to the NTCA competition in 2010/2011. Launceston and George Town were the only two clubs to field teams, with four Twenty20 matches rostered. No doubt the NTCA will be looking to expand the competition in the coming seasons and the Club welcomes new players.
For more information on Womens cricket contact Sam Cotton on 0400 88 65 64 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lady Lions Enjoy Gala Days
The Launceston Women's team started their 2011-12 season by heading to the North West to compete in a Twenty20 competition on Sunday 27th November 2011 and Sunday 4th December 2011.
Sunday 27th November 2011
The squad for the first weekend on Sunday 27th November 2011 included: Sam Cotton (Captain), Lauren Schwabe, Lucy Hamilton, Sasha Maloney, Jasmine Sulzburger, Rhianne Hack (debut), Samantha Chilcott and Jessica Lynch.
Game 1
The first game saw the Launceston girls experience their first ever loss after an undefeated season in 2010-11. Latrobe won the toss and sent Launceston into bat. Lauren Schwabe capitalised on her excellent pre-season by opening the batting with a personal best and high score of 23. At the end of the innings the girls amassed a total of 5/85. Launceston went into the field but unfortunately could not restrict Latrobe who achieved the total in the 16th over. Lauren Schwabe also starred for Launceston in the bowling with figures of 2/16 off 4 overs.
Game 2
The second game of the Gala day saw Launceston play against Wynyard. Winning the toss, Sam Cotton sent in Launceston to bat to set a defendable total. Launceston lost two wickets early but Lucy Hamilton and Rhianne Hack steadied the ship for the next 10 overs putting on a total of 52. Unfortunately Rhianne was run out on 9 with Launceston at 3/61. With less than 2 overs to go, Sam Cotton (13no) went into bat with Lucy Hamilton (45no) and they put on another 28 runs to increase the total to 3/89 after 20 overs. Launceston bowled Wynyard out for 38 runs in 16 overs due to tight bowling and attacking fielding which was a substantial improvement on the first game. The key performers with the ball were Sasha Maloney (2/4 from 4 overs), Jasmine Sultzberger (1/3 from 2 overs) and Sam Cotton (1/4 off 3 overs).
Sunday 4th December 2011
The squad for the second weekend on Sunday 4th December 2011 included: Sam Cotton (Captain), Lauren Schwabe, Rhianne Hack, Emily McKinnell, Samantha Chilcott, Jessica Lynch, Lauren Harper.
The second weekend in the North West competition saw the Launceston girls heading to Burnie for two matches against Ulverstone and Burnie Yoeman.
Game 3
Launceston played against Ulverstone in the third game of the season. Ulverstone won the toss and sent in Launceston to bat. Lauren Schwabe (12) and Rhianne Hack (21no) started Launceston off on the right foot scoring runs quickly until Launceston lost Lauren Schwabe, Emily McKinnell, Jessica Lynch and Samantha Chilcott in close concession. At 4/52, Sam Cotton (44no) and Rhianne Hack batted out the rest of the overs to take the score up to 4/114 at the end of 20 overs. Rhianne Hack followed up on her good batting performance by taking 2/20 off 3.3 overs and Lauren Schwabe snared 1/8 from 2 overs. Overall it was a good performance from the Launceston girls.
Game 4
In the second game for the day, Launceston played against Burnie Yoeman at Acton Park. Launceston chose to bowl first sending in Burnie Yoeman to set a total for the chase. The fielding and bowling in this game greatly improved from the girls which is a positive sign for the season ahead. Sam Cotton opened the bowling snaring 2/10 from 4 overs, and Lauren Schwabe held up the other end with 1/11 from 4 overs. Emily McKinnell attacked the middle order snaring her first wicket for Launceston and finishing with 2/42 from 4 overs. Launceston went in for the chase but unfortunately were unable to make the total of 126 set by Burnie Yoeman. Lauren Schwabe scored a valuable 17 runs opening the batting and held a 60 run partnership with Sam Cotton (46) after the loss of a few early wickets. Unfortunately with the loss of two more wickets, Launceston finished on 5/95 after the 20 overs.
Summary of the successful 2010/2011 season
With approximately 6 weeks of training prior to the first scheduled match, all players showed they were keen to learn and improve their skills.
The squad included: Lucy Hamilton (captain), Samantha Chilcott, Lauren Hepburn, Brooke Hepburn, Samantha Cotton, Jasmine Sulzberger, Paige Faulkner, Lauren Schwabe, Rebecca Hoodless, Lauren Harper, Sasha Maloney, Jessica Lynch, Lisa Battle, Natasha Dawson, Kylie Venn, Renita Bingley.
Game 1 - 20th November, 2010
Game 1, at the NTCA No. 1 ground, saw Launceston bat first and after 20 overs, the team had amassed a total of 1/158. Sasha Maloney (69 not out, including 8 fours and one 6) and Lauren Hepburn (61 not out, with 4 fours and 1 six) formed a very successful second wicket partnership of 117 in 12 overs.
Through some positive bowling, Launceston was able to restrict George Town to 9/93 at the completion of their 20 overs, with only two of their batters making double figures. Lucy Hamilton bowled exceptionally well with figures of 3 for 12 off 4 overs and was well supported by first year player, Lauren Harper with 2 for 14 off 2 overs. Other contributors were Natasha Dawson with 1 for 5 off 2 overs and 14 year old Meg Phillips with 1 for 6 off 2. Launceston convincingly won the game by 65 runs.
Game 2 - 5th December, 2010
In game 2, Launceston travelled to George Town. George Town won the toss and elected to bat. With captain Lucy Hamilton being unavailable and Meg Phillips playing with the Tasmanian U/15, Lauren Hepburn filled the role of leading the team. Launceston bowled the hosts out for a total of 78 in 19 overs with opening bowler Brooke Hepburn taking 3 for 5 off 3 overs. Sam Cotton finished with 3 for 8 off 2.2 overs, including 2 wickets off her last 2 balls. They were well supported by Lauren Schwabe (2/10 off 2 overs) and Rebecca Hoodless with 2 for 19 off her allotted 4 overs.
Chasing a modest total, the team goal was to have a positive start and to remain focussed. The team achieved their goal with the first wicket falling at 67 when Sam Cotton departed for 13. This again brought together Sasha Maloney and Lauren Hepburn, however, this was not to last and Sasha was dismissed with the score on 82. First year player Paige Faulkner joined Hepburn until she was caught and bowled for 5 with the score on 99. Finishing with 4 for 131, the main contributors were Sasha Maloney with 46 and Lauren Hepburn with 29. The not out batters in the 53 run victory were Lauren Schwabe on 5 and Sam Chilcott yet to score.
Game 4 - 27th February, 2011
Game 3 was unfortunately washed out, and for Game 4, Launceston played hosts at the NTCA No. 1 ground. George Town again won the toss but this time elected to bowl. After some encouraging words from A Grade Captain Paul Bunton, the team was ready to continue with their winning form.
After losing Jasmine Sulzberger, Sam Cotton and Lauren Harper early, Lucy Hamilton and Sasha Maloney steadied the ship and then accelerated to a total of 3/177 at the completion of the 20 overs. Sasha Maloney finished with 79 not out, including 7 fours and 6 sixes in a fantastic knock. Lucy Hamilton also finished with a very classy innings of 67 not out, including 10 fours. This was the teams largest total of the season and were able to consistently turn over the strike. At the close of the innings, the team set the goal of bowling the opposition out for less than 80. This was a clear sign of their growing confidence in their ability and improvement.
George Town started off very shaky, losing 5 wickets for only 13 runs due to some effective bowling by Lauren Hepburn, Rebecca Hoodless and Sam Cotton. The teams’ determination to achieve their goal was tested with a partnership of 52 for the 2nd last wicket, until Sam Chilcott was finally able to break the partnership. The final wicket fell 10 runs later with the total on 75! Stand out performers with the ball were Lauren Hepburn with 4 for 2 off 3 overs, Rebecca Hoodless with 1 for 3 off 2, Sam Chilcott with 1 for 6 off 2 and Sam Cotton with 1 for 7 off 2 overs.
Lucy Hamilton drives on her way to 67 not out in Game 3.