Last Wednesday, the Raroa Girls Cricket team arrived at the airport, ready for five hard games of cricket at Nationals down in Christchurch. When we stepped out of the plane, it was great to have some hot weather. Two vans were waiting outside the airport to take us to Lincoln University where all of the six cricket teams stay. That night we had a bbq with all the teams and our captain, Jess Barker, introduced our team to everyone and we got a badge each.

The next morning we all woke up ready for two tough games. We put on our sexy polo shirts and had breakfast with all the other teams. After breakfast, we all got our bags, got into our sexy white pants and headed off to Lincoln green field. Our first game was against Balmacewen Intermediate School. Jess won the toss and we decided to bowl. Wai got an amazing 4 wickets already beating the amount she got last year. And Jess got 3! In the second innings Sarah J got an awesome 32 runs! We ended up chasing down their score of 94 in 15 overs, which set us off on a good start. Our next game we knew was going to be hard - Holy Cross Intermediate. We batted first and Pepi got the most runs for us - 20. Our total was 50 and Holy cross then chased it down quite quick in 15 overs. Jess bowled 1st and got 2 people out for ducks and 1 wicket. Abby H bowled 4th and got 1 wicket.

That evening included: Jess singing and dancing to Physical infront of the team, Jess throwing Pepi’s slide onto the top of a tall hedge and doing a team quiz thing that Mr Price had organised.

The next morning we headed to Lincoln green again. Our game was against Morrinsville, where we bowled first, Waimarie getting 3 more wickets. Their final total was 95. Pepi got 35 hitting the only six in the tournament, Sarah 29 not out and Maia W 23 not out. Our next game was against St Mary’s from the Wairarapa, the closest team to Wellington. They scored a solid 113 which in the end we couldn't quite beat them but our captain jess barker scored 30 not out while all the other players got out.

That night we played a big game of sardines and mafia and then went off to bed with good night hugs for everyone.

That morning we knew our next game was going to be tough. We versed Heaton from Christchurch. Heaton have won the 2015 and the 2016 title and they have won all of their games so far. We started bowling and they got 139 for 3 off their 20 overs.

Pepi and Olivia I opened the batting. Milly faced one ball and everyone celebrated because she didn’t get out. We all got bowled out for 70 on the last over.

So overall we came 5th out of 6 teams. After that game, we headed off to the prize giving where the black caps coach was handing out 1st place, 2nd place and the spirit award. Heaton came 1st overall. 2nd was Holy Cross and Raroa got the spirit award like last year. Sarah J got 7th batter in the whole tournament, Pepi, 9th. Jess B got 3rd bowler in the tournament, Abby H, 10th and Waimarie, 11th. Jess B and Maia W also did great to get into the dream team for the tournament. We all had a fun time and I wish we could do it all over again.

Special thanks to Mr Jordan Price for coaching us and Rachel Porteous for being the parent help!