The Pink Panthers have made it five Ladies Eights Cricket Carnivals in a row in a record-breaking effort at Albert Park on Saturday.
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Their effort over the ‘Jacksons Birds’ in the final showed they are truly a class outfit and with their record, the ladies can lay claim to being the best Ladies Eights side in the 12-year history of the competition.
The Pink Panthers easily won the Albert Park pool and faced winners of the Mitchell Park pool and newcomers to the competition the Jackson Birds in the final.
The Jacksons Birds batted first crashing to be 3/5 but recovered to score 35.
It was smooth sailing for the reigning premiers, who after a slow start found their mojo to take the title easily. The Pink Panthers finished with the scoreboard reading 3/37.
Their winning streak of five in a row surpasses the previous best of four in a row held by Harden from 2007 to 2010.
The field of teams was as strong as ever with eight teams taking part in the carnival in warm and windy conditions at Albert and Mitchell Parks.
The Pink Panthers side comprised five local girls and three girls who travelled for the day, including Em Preston, a former Australia under 19s and under 21 rep player.
Seeing her bat during the carnival it was easy to see why she had played at a higher level and no doubt her influence helped the side to this latest victory.
The Jackson Birds were made up of five local girls and three girls who travelled from Canberra.
Rebecca Hoodless, who organised the Jackson Birds, had previously played under 19s for Tasmania and can lay claim to being the first girl ever to wear spikes out in the centre during the Eights competition!
The aim of the ladies carnival is all about fun with some players showing up for their first game of cricket and others seasoned veterans out in the middle.
Accepting the trophy, Janice Dunk from the Pink Panthers thanked the organisers for once again putting on a great day for the girls and her teammates for their effort on the field.
The ladies committed to returning to the field next year to hopefully defend their title for a fifth time, making it six in a row.
The carnival was sponsored by Cricket NSW and officiators were David Garness at Mitchell Park and Pat Kerin at Albert Park.
Team members (pictured above) are (back, from left) Hannah Northey, Kate Maher (Hillston) and Chris Lott (front) Tina Wales, Emily Harris, Sarah Maher (Hillston), Janice Dunk and Em Preston (Bungendore).
