![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/U14_99712.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Advancing to Thursday’s decider with a 3-1 record, BCA’s under-16s were narrowly pipped by Warrnambool-Moyne.<\/p>\n
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, the BCA were set a target of 166 for victory, after Warrnambool-Moyne emerged wicketless from its 20 overs.<\/p>\n
In reply, Ballarat powered its way to 4-164, giving Warrnambool-Moyne a nail-biting one-run victory.<\/p>\n
Olivia Kennedy led the way for BCA with a brilliant 86 off 65 balls, including 12 boundaries.<\/p>\n
Brooke McKerrow was next best with 16 off 17 balls.<\/p>\n
A big week for star all-rounder Kennedy included a 29 not out in Tuesday’s win over Hamilton District Hurricanes, and 30 against Warrnambool-Moyne on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Warrnambool-Moyne, which lost only once in five games throughout the week, was the only team to beat the BCA throughout the week, doing so twice, including by 25 runs in round 3.<\/p>\n
Easily the most open competition with eight teams chasing the title, compared with five each in the under-16 and under-18s, the BCA earned a spot in the under-14 final against undefeated Mount Gambier with a 4-1 record.<\/p>\n
Chasing Mount Gambier’s total of 4-85 off 12 overs, Ballarat was bowled out for 33 in seven overs.<\/p>\n
The BCA earlier sealed its grand final spot with a crushing win over Geelong’s development team.<\/p>\n
Electing to bowl, Ballarat restricted Geelong to 2-41 in 20 overs, before compiling a massive 3-161 with the bat.<\/p>\n
Sadie Harris top scored with 41, ably supported by opening partner Ellie Byers (31), Ivy Kosloff (34 not out) and Maddison McLennan (21 not out).<\/p>\n
It continued a solid run of form during the week for Kosloff, who made 29 against Grampians, 35 not out against Colac, and scores of 15 and 16 against Geelong and Warrnambool-Moyne.<\/p>\n
Georgia Collier excelled against Warrnambool Moyne, taking 2-1 to back up her 39 as an opening bat.<\/p>\n
The BCA’s under-18 team had to be content with third place, finishing with two wins and two losses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A crushing win over Colac was followed by a loss to Hamilton District on Tuesday, a big win over Warrnambool-Moyne on Wednesday and a loss to Geelong on Thursday.<\/p>\n Key individual performances included a game-high 35 with the bat from Mia Frary in the win over Colac and a 31 from Keira O’Beirne and Baeli Jans 2-11 with the ball against Warrnambool-Moyne.<\/p>\n O’Beirne backed up with 19 and 2-17 against eventual runners-up Geelong.<\/p>\n A successful week in Hamilton highlighted the BCA’s strong and growing female cricket program, with its junior competitions, including under-11, under-14 and under-17, backed by its senior grades.<\/p>\n The association’s focus on creating female-only pathways has been a significant success since its inception in 2016, leading to increased participation and opportunities for local players.<\/p>\n “We were thrilled to be represented by some amazing young female talent,” BCA president David Nicholls said.<\/p>\n “We hope the experience fuels their passion for cricket.<\/p>\n “We are grateful to the volunteer coaches and parents that are making this possible for our teams.”<\/p>\n Nicholls further acknowledged major sponsor Sovereign Radiology’s ongoing support of women’s cricket.<\/p>\n “Their generosity and passion for creating opportunities for girls in sport is incredible,” he said.<\/p>\n “Local family business Ballarat Airport Shuttlebus also generously assisted the teams by providing transport throughout the tournament for which we are very grateful.”<\/p>\n Sovereign Radiology is a major partner of the BCA, demonstrating a strong commitment to community sport and, specifically, the development of female cricket programs.<\/p>\n Its support extends to the senior level, where the business is the naming rights sponsor for the Sovereign Radiology First XI Women competition.<\/p>\n Sovereign Radiology’s Nicole O’Brien offered her congratulations to the players that represented Ballarat with their passion and talent.<\/p>\n The teams competing in Hamilton were supported by BCA directors Ken Orr and Kathryn Kosloff.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BALLARAT Cricket Association’s under-16 girls and under-14 representative teams fared best at the prestigious Western Wave 2026 tournament in Hamilton last week. Also known as the Western Victoria Girls Shield\/Cup, the BCA fielded teams in all of the under-14, under-16 and under-18 competitions. The tournament, a key event in the junior female cricket pathway, provides […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/01\/U182_02120.jpg\")