JUNIOR cricketers from across the plains proudly represented Moree Junior Cricket Club at the NSWPSSA Girls Cricket Championships at the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex at Tuggerah last week.

The central coast championships, an annual event, brings together teams from across New South Wales, and includes representatives from each PSSA zone.

Also competing were Polding and MacKillop from Catholic Schools NSW, as well as teams from NSW Combined Independent Schools.

Teams travelled from rural and regional New South Wales, and the greater Sydney region to pad up and play.

Sophie Jensen, Marley Legg and Ellie Rigby from Moree Public School, and Isabelle Diprose from Warialda Public School, were selected to represent the North-West zone.

Elsie Sullivan, from St Philomena’s Catholic School in Moree, represented Polding, which featured players from Catholic schools in the northern half of New South Wales.

The week away on the pitch also marked Sophie Jensen’s second appearance for the North-West squad at the NSWPSSA Girls Cricket Championships.

Moree Junior Cricket Club secretary, Katie Sullivan, said the level of competition was outstanding.

“It was an intense and exciting week for the Moree girls, as they faced off against the best primary school female cricketers in New South Wales,” Katie said.

“The level of competition was outstanding, and the girls improved significantly as the tournament progressed.”

Each match covered 50 overs, with teams competing in six games over three to four days.

For many competitors, it was their first time playing on a full, 20.12m turf wicket with LBW rules in play.

The North-West and Polding teams encountered strong opposition throughout the week.

“While they may not have been among the top-ranked teams, the girls took each challenge in their stride, walking off the field with smiles on their faces and ready for the next game,” Katie smiled.

She said one of the most rewarding aspects of the tournament was the opportunity to play alongside girls from all corners of New South Wales.

“The Polding team featured players from the Central Coast to Tenterfield and everywhere in between, and the friendships formed and experiences shared have only deepened their love for the game,” Katie said.

Moree Junior Cricket Club earlier this month resumed Saturday morning competition at Ron Harborne Oval after the annual summer school holidays’ recess.

“Young cricketers in the Moree district – boys and girls – are fortunate to have access to Saturday morning competition and representative cricket, which provides them with the skills and experience needed to compete at major, state-level competitions like the NSWPSSA championships,” Katie said.