Young St Hilda’s team eyeing third national title

St Hilda's Collegiate will be chasing a third national title when the Gillette Venus Cup starts in Palmerston North today.

The Dunedin school collected its first title in 2016 and added a second in 2018.

Most of those players now fill the Otago Sparks’ ranks. St Hilda’s has been a busy production line in that sense.

For years Neil Rosenberg led the side. But Will Deerness has taken over this year and is hoping to add to the school’s fine record.

He has a young team, though.

"We’ve got two year 9s and five or six year 10s and no year 13s," Deerness said.

"But we’ll pretty much have a similar squad next year moving forward."

Molly Loe is the only player with experience of playing at the top level. She will be opening the bowling and bat at No 5, so she is a key player in the line-up.

Jordan Meltzer is the side’s premier batswoman and will bat at No 3, with the likes of Chloe Deerness and opener Ella Gibson looking to chip in around her.

"Last year we played off for third and fourth and I’d like to think we can at least do that again, if not push for a place in the final," Deerness said.

"If we are going to compete we’ll need to get the most out of our top order. Jordan Meltzer is pretty pivotal for us.

"She is someone who is just solid. She plays well down the ground and can score in most areas of the park," Deerness said.

Molly will spearhead the attack. All-rounder Zarah Moana has been ruled out with a broken finger, so that is a big loss.

But Hannah O’Connor, daughter of former Black Cap Shayne O’Connor, shapes as a contender to open the bowling with Loe.

Hannah is year 9, so it will be a big step up for her.

Chloe, a spinner, will provide a solid slow bowling option, while medium pacers Anna McClean and Anna Duncan will slot into the attack as well.

St Hilda’s opens its campaign with games against Christchurch Girls’ and Tauranga Girls’ today.

Each side plays five twenty20 matches during round-robin play and the two top sides will play off for the title.

Gillette  Venus Cup

National secondary schoolgirls competition
St Hilda’s Collegiate: Pippa Clarke, Chloe Deerness, Anna Duncan, Ella Gibson, Grace Hastie, Belle King-Begg, Molly Loe, Anna McClean, Jordan Meltzer, Hannah O’Connor, Hannah Wilson, Nova Wright.

St Hilda’s draw
Today: v Christchurch Girls’ and Tauranga Girls’
Tomorrow: v Hutt Valley and Takapuna Grammar
Sunday: St Matthew’s Collegiate

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