After easily dispatching of Western, Greater Illawarra and Newcastle to top their pool, Central North came up against a strong ACT/Southern Districts side in Tuesday’s final.

Claire McGuirk (27) and Isabella Cameron (23) set a strong foundation at the top, putting on 59 for the first wicket in the space of about 10 overs.

But when McGuirk was run out they lost a bit of momentum, assistant coach Peter Graham said, and they weren’t able to get it back.

They ended up with 4-92 from their 20 overs, which ACT/Southern Districts chased down in 17.4 overs.

It probably wasn’t the best game they played for the two days, Graham said, although he did point out that up until the final most of the girls hadn’t had a lot of opportunity to bat.

Their first game they didn’t lose a wicket, Cameron (26) and McGuirk (28) polishing off the required runs in 11 overs. 

They then only lost one in their second game, Cameron carrying her bat for 57.

She had an outstanding championships also top-scoring with 42 in the win over Newcastle to finish their most prolific run-scorer with over 100 for the two days.

McGuirk was second and Baker third.

Baker led the charge with the ball with five wickets from the four games, while McGuirk took four and Cameron, Vanessa Simpson and Josephine Pearce three.

“When they were bowling they created a lot of dot balls,” Graham said. 

The bowlers were well backed up in the field, Graham commenting that it was a good team performance from a side that featured a mix of state squad players and “younger, new players”.

The under-18s championships were due to commence on Wednesday but play was washed out.