UPDATE: The match results can be found at the end of the story
Constables Georgia Clarke and Erin Bermingham opened the batting on Monday for a thrilling three days of cricket between our inaugural New Zealand Police women’s team and the New Zealand Under 19 women’s team.
The teams will play three 40-over games in three days at Burnside Park in Christchurch, from 15 to 17 February.
Before play began, Acting Canterbury District Commander Tom Fitzgerald welcomed the teams and congratulated them on their selections. New Zealand Police Women’s Team Manager, Constable Glenn Dawson, presented a trophy to New Zealand Cricket, and former New Zealand Women's Captain, Detective Senior Sergeant Sarah Illingworth, presented caps to all the players.
While the Under 19s have youth on their side, our policewomen have some serious experience, with 10 out of 14 having played at either international or provincial level.
Canterbury local, South Comms Dispatcher Georgia Moore, hasn’t played seriously since she was at school and is currently on maternity leave after the birth of her second child. However, she has had a top-class training partner and, based on Sunday’s training session, will hold her own against the competition.
“We’ve had a bit of time since the team was formed for the inter-services competition and I’ve been practising with my dad. He played county cricket in England with Sir Richard Hadlee, and he’s still got a thing or two to teach me.”
Georgia says the games will be tough, but she appreciates the opportunity to play and meet some new people.
“We’ll probably get smashed but most of us are here for the fun of it anyway. It can be quite isolating on maternity leave so this is a great way to get to know people and enjoy the social aspect.”
Other Canterbury Police players include former White Fern Constable Erin Bermingham, Constable Georgia Clarke who last played for Otago in 2019, and Constable Fran Clark, who also plays in the New Zealand Police Rugby Team.
The Police team lost Monday's match by two wickets. However, current White Fern Constable Katie Perkins (Counties Manukau) joins the Police team on Wednesday after captaining the New Zealand squad in Queenstown for two warm-up fixtures against England.
New Zealand Police Cricket Coordinator and Police Sport member Sergeant Stephen Cross says Police Sport has been "a massive supporter" of the first New Zealand Police women’s cricket team.
"The aim of the Police Sport Organisation is to actively encourage, promote and coordinate police sport, games and recreation," he says. "Our mission is to foster and encourage fitness and sport in our employees.
"New playing uniforms were purchased by Police Sport for this occasion - and the future - with design help from clothing partner Kooga. Police Sport also provided funding to assist with transport and accommodation for all players and management to ensure we could put our best team out against the New Zealand U19s and showcase the talent we have in Police.”
RESULTS
Day 1: New Zealand Women Under 19s won by 2 wickets
New Zealand Police XI - 150/7
New Zealand Women Under 19s - 152/8
Day 2: New Zealand Women Under 19s won by 119 runs
New Zealand Police XI - 136
New Zealand Women Under 19s - 255/7
Day 3: New Zealand Women Under 19s won by 122 runs
New Zealand Women Under 19s - 273/7