TAMARA BATS INTO HISTORY
Tauranga, Jan 17 - Northern Spirit cricketer Tamara Gould batted her team to a history-making win over the Central Hinds with a tenacious 100 in the second of two one-dayers at Blake Park here yesterday.
It was the first time Northern had beaten Central in State League play since the competition began, and a career-first century for the drafted player from Canterbury.
It was also the Spirit's first win of the season, after Central failed to reach the required 226 runs.
``She's been a long time coming. This is certainly a big occasion,'' said jubilant Northern coach Cliff Dickeson.
However, the 27-run win followed a convincing three-wicket loss to Central the day before, when the visitors' bowling attack made quick work of the Spirit's 163-run target.
Clare Connor was the main destroyer, returning four for 11.
At just 18, Gould is the youngest player to ever post a century in State League play.
Gould, from Mackenzie Country, batted right through the innings, chalking up 100 from 145 balls.
``I'm just stoked that I could go out and do that not only for me but for the team,'' she grinned.
Dickeson said Gould played an intelligent century.
``She batted right through, which is very rare at this level.''
Teammate Megan Murphy clocked up 60 from 99 balls.
She and Gould had a first-wicket partnership of 71.
The only two wickets snatched by Central were added to Connor's four-wicket tally from the previous day, with Janice Fraser bowled for 40 and Sarah Sim caught at point without a run.
Notable Central innings were played by Nicole Thessman, with 40 runs from 77 balls, Aimee Mason with 27 from 49, Sara McGlashan with 26 from 46, Connor with 30 from 37 and Rachel Priest, 28 from 33.