Good genetics, hard work and training have produced two state cricketers in one Scone family.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Scone High School siblings Isaac and Kirsten Smith returned from Bathurst and Armidale respectively after playing for the Hunter at the open Combined High School’s (CHS) State Championships.
Scone High School year 10 student Kirsten Smith was the top scorer in the Hunter Girls CHS Open cricket team in Armidale over the weekend.
“This was my third trip to the state championships.
“We have made the finals twice but it was great to be able to win.
“I played state cricket twice before in the second team, but this is the first time I have made the first side,” she said.
Kirsten has now been selected to compete for the Lord’s Traverner’s trophy in the Combined Independent Schools and Combined Catholic Schools state championships in Bathurst next month.
Coach of the Hunter CHS Girls Cricket open team (and woodwork teacher at Scone High School ) Ross Dransfield said he was ‘very proud’ of Kirsten and Isaac’s cricket achievements this season.
“Hunter played Riverina in the final with Kirsten top scoring for us on 43.
“She took a spectacular dive in the outfield to remove Riverina’s top batter,” he said.
“Kirsten has now been selected to represent the NSW CHS girls cricket team first 11 which is an excellent achievement.”
Dransfield, who has coached the Hunter girls open team for 16 years, said he thought this was one of the best teams yet.
“We have the most depth of any team in the competition.
“They all play against each other in club cricket, are all good mates and play well together,” he said.
Year 12 student Isaac Smith also played over the weekend as a lower order batsman and first change bowler coming third overall with the Hunter CHS open boys side in Bathurst.
“Competition in the boys teams is fierce, so to make the side is a major achievement,” Dransfield said.
Kirsten said the key to the Smith family success on and off the pitch was her dad.
“Dad still plays club cricket for the Scone Razorbacks.
“He helps us both so much with training,” she said.
“We couldn’t have done it without him.”