In a moment that will be remembered in Overberg cricket history, the Hawston Cricket Club women’s team stepped onto the pitch for their inaugural match on Sunday 19 October, becoming the first-ever women’s competitive cricket team to represent their community.
The historic 20-over clash took place in Robertson, where the newly-formed Hawston ladies faced their opponents with determination and spirit that belied their inexperience at competitive level. Batting first, Hawston showed remarkable resilience by occupying the crease for the full 20 overs, posting a total of 40 runs for the loss of six wickets. For a team playing their very first competitive match, going the distance was an achievement in itself. The standout performance came from 12-year-old Savannah Tait, the youngest member of the squad, who not only top-scored with five runs but also showed exceptional temperament by staying at the crease for an impressive 14 overs. Her debut knock demonstrated the fighting spirit that characterised the entire team’s approach.
Robertson successfully chased down the target in the eighth over of their innings, but not without resistance from the Hawston bowling attack. Kelsea-Ray Temmers emerged as the pick of the bowlers for Hawston, claiming the solitary wicket to fall during Robertson’s innings and providing a glimpse of the team’s potential for future matches.
The Hawston women will return to home soil for their next fixture, scheduled for Sunday 2 November at 10:00 at the Hawston Sportsgrounds. This will mark another milestone as they play their first home match in front of their local community. The club is encouraging the community to support the team in future matches, emphasising the importance of local backing in developing women’s cricket in the area. “Thank you to all the supporters,” the club stated. “We hope to see many more supporters in future.”
