After defeating New Lambton in their morning semi-final, the girls then played Blayney in the final.

Batting first, TPS made steady progress early and at the half-way point of their innings were 1-34.

They pushed the run-rate up in the second half to be 1-103 at the completion of their 20 overs.

Co-captain Lili Beatie led from the front and “batted very well”, TPS deputy principal Barry Everingham said. 

Batting at first drop she made 43 before being retired. Her co-skipper Mim Barbara and Sophie Dawe were both unbeaten on nine after Teya Powell had hit 16 (ret) at the top.

Playing at the finals for the fourth straight year, Blayney then got away to a blistering start, and were 3-58 at the half-way mark.

That in the end proved the difference with the Western side, who boast just 250 students, getting home in the second last over, six down.

“Their running between the wickets was very good,” Everingham said.

Abbey Bowden topped the wickets for the Tamworth side with 2-22, with Beatie and Barbara chiming in with a wicket each.

Blayney had won their way into the final with a thrilling final over win over Newport, who they had been beaten by in the semi-finals their three previous finals appearances.

TPS set the tone in their semi with the ball, bowling New Lambton out for 69.

Bowden led the charge with 4-28 and was well supported by Dawe (2-11), Barbara (2-1) and Beatie (1-15).

Beatie also took a crucial catch in the outfield to remove New Lambton’s state representative. She was on 18 and looking pretty good, Everingham said, after TPS had them at one stage 3-16.

TPS then chased the runs down in 13 overs for the loss of just two wickets, with Beatie (20no) and Barbara (26no) steering them into the final.

“We’re thrilled. It was a great effort by the girls just to make the semi-finals,” Everingham said.

Many of them hadn’t played cricket competitively before the competition. Ben Venue also made it through to the final four in the boys competition, but lost their semi-final to Milton.