Catholic College Sale has marked a significant milestone, with its first-ever girls’ team competing in the historic Marist Carnival over three days.
While the boys’ competition has been running for decades, this year’s event was only the second girls’ carnival, hosted by Assumption College in Kilmore.
Sale opened the carnival against St John’s Woodlawn on day one. Bowling first, Sale restricted its opponent to 2/133 from 20 overs, with captain Ruby Scholtes named player of the match after claiming the first wicket of the carnival and finishing with impressive figures of 1/16 from four overs.
In reply, Sale showed determination but were unable to match a polished Woodlawn outfit, closing at 8/69.
Later that afternoon, Sale faced Lavalla College from the Latrobe Valley. Sale struck early, reducing Lavalla to 2/9 in the fourth over, but a brilliant 83 not out from opener Candice Brammich lifted Lavalla to 3/149.
Sale’s chase was full of spirit and smart cricket, finishing at 7/103. Scholtes contributed a confident 20 from 23 balls, Charli Paterson was named player of the match, and Suzie Coleman continued an outstanding run in the field across both games.
On day two, Sale took on unbeaten host school Assumption College. Assumption captain Bridget Stute produced a batting masterclass, taking advantage of the short boundaries at Austin Oval to score an outstanding 103 retired from 47 balls, including 20 boundaries, as her side reached 5/169. Sale responded with determination but were restricted to 7/46, with Coleman top-scoring with 15 from 29 balls, including two fours. Award winners
for the day were Mikayla Pendrick (player of the match) and Matilda March (captain’s award).
Day three featured two matches. In the penultimate game against Marist College Bendigo, Sale bowled well early to have Bendigo at 2/35. An unbeaten 110-run partnership, however, lifted Bendigo to
2/145, with wickets claimed by Paterson
and Stef Worcester. Bendigo’s disciplined bowling and fielding then restricted Sale to 6/57, with Scholtes top-scoring with 19 not out.
The final match against Marist-Sion Warragul proved a highlight for Sale. A strong bowling performance limited Warragul to 5/77, with Scholtes (2/5) and Coleman (2/7) outstanding. Despite a shaky start at 3/18, Ebony Silvester and Scholtes combined for an unbeaten 60-run partnership to secure Sale’s first win of the carnival, sparking jubilant celebrations among players, coaches and families.
At the presentation dinner, Paterson received the Marcellin Champagnat Award for consistent team spirit, while Scholtes was named in the Marist XI following an exceptional all-round tournament.
The carnival concluded on a positive note, highlighting the team’s growth and building optimism for the future of girls’ cricket at Catholic College Sale.
Next year’s carnival will be staged in Bunbury, Western Australia.
