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Subscriber only HAVING valuable all-rounders like Macy Hauser rising through the program is one of the reasons the Ipswich Hornets have qualified for Saturday s grand final. Macy, 15, is the only cricketer from the Hornets first year of female player development to still be in the club s Second Grade team. She started in the all-girls Hornets winter squad in 2014, becoming one of the team s go-to players in this year s Jodie Fields Shield competition. Having helped guide her side to a nailbiting, last over semi-final win over Sunshine Coast last weekend, Macy is one of the teenagers with a promising future.
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Subscriber only LOYAL Ipswich Hornets women s coach Tony Potbury is reminded how young his side is every time he sees them arrive. It s a bit surprising when you turn up at training and all the girls are rolling in with cars that have got L-plates on, he said. With the exception of tireless ring leader Leanne Bichel, the Hornets side includes a number of players aged in their teens. However, that youthful enthusiasm is one of the reasons the Hornets Second Grade side has advanced to this weekend s Jodie Fields Shield competition grand final. Stacked with all-rounders, the young team battled gamely to beat Sunshine Coast in a nerve-racking final over at Walker Oval on Sunday.
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Subscriber only HAVING both Ipswich women s teams in this weekend s Queensland Premier Grade semi-finals is a massive indication of how well the Hornets are progressing. Having one of the Hornets regular players Ellie Johnston currently playing for the Queensland Fire enhances that ongoing cricket development success. But while the Hornets first grade side will be without Johnston for Sunday s elimination showdown with the Gold Coast, head coach Wayne Bichel sees it as another opportunity for his players. Lucy Neumann, Olivia Winter, Keely Freiberg and Ella Harvey have stepped up in recent games with Johnston preparing for Queensland duty.
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Subscriber only WITH one Ipswich Hornets title already in the bag and four senior teams still in the finals hunt, this weekend is crucial for the newly-formed Cricket Ipswich structure. The Hornets Queensland Premier Grade men s side is in sixth place in a tightly contested pack of contenders, able to still qualify for the semi-finals over the next two Saturdays. Victory over fourth-placed Sandgate at Walker Oval will give the Aaron Moore-coached outfit a shot at chasing another grand final spot - like they did last season. The Hornets Second Graders have a tougher task but they can still mathematically make the semis with a big win over Sandgate Redcliffe at Deagon.
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Subscriber only THE next generation of Ipswich Hornets cricketers head into the new year with a shot of confidence after an encouraging weekend of T20 matches. The under-15 Hornets girls beat Gold Coast by eight wickets on Sunday morning before a spirited 12 run loss to Wests in the afternoon at Baxter Oval. After the first two games in the annual Paul Pink Shield competition were washed out, Hornets manager Leanne Bichel was delighted how her young players responded when given an opportunity. It was excellent for all the girls who don t play regular cricket for us in a grade situation, Bichel said.