The Echuca contingent, Gillian Noelker and Kate Carlile, were valuable members of the victorious, ragtag NT squad. Photo: Supplied.
The Veteran Cricket Association Women’s Over 40 National Championships were held in Adelaide at the end of October, and two Echuca players featured among the competitors.
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Gillian Noelker and Kate Carlile, who both play with the title-winning Echuca side in the Goulburn Murray Cricket women’s competition, donned foreign colours, representing the Northern Territory in division three of the competition, held from October 26 to 31.
Initially trying out for the Victorian squad, the pair found an alternate avenue into the tournament after not being selected for their home state.
“(Victoria) had 97 women try out, and they had to cut 45,” said Noelker.
“We didn't get a look in so then we heard through various channels that the Northern Territory were putting in their inaugural team and that they were looking for players so a few of us Vic girls put our hand up.”
Victoria may be ruing its decision not to select the Echuca natives, as Noelker and Carlile linked up with the patchwork team of Northern Territory, Victoria and South Australia players to make an undefeated run to the championship.
The NT Crocs took down heavyweights NSW and Victoria over the first two round-robin rounds, eventually meeting Victoria again in the final, where they got the win by seven wickets, 3-74 to 7-73.
Kate Carlile (second front) and Gillian Noelker (centre front) helped the Northern Territory to the division three championship. Photo: Supplied.
The performance is all the more impressive given the side had very little time to build cohesion before jumping into competition play.
“As a team obviously we were all thrown together,” said Noelker.
“We didn't meet until the Saturday and the first game was on Sunday, so we had a net session on Saturday and then played our first game on Sunday.
“We all just clicked.
“I think we were all just grateful to be playing, which was good.
Noelker herself earned some personal glory along with the team's success, named in the division three team of the tournament and as player of the match in her side’s third game against Western Australia.
Opening the batting, Noelker retired in three of the six games after reaching the 35-run limit, scoring 134 total runs in the tournament, the most in division three.
“That was a shock,” she said.
“It was an honour, I was a little bit embarrassed, but I played well pretty much for most of the tournament.
“I felt confident and there didn't seem to be a lot of pressure because we all clicked.
“We all encouraged (each other) and you just felt comfortable.
“It was a great experience.”
Noelker and Carlile are both heavily involved in the local women’s cricket scene, Carlile the current vice-president of the GMC and Noelker a long-time opening bat with Echuca.
The pair have been invited back to join the Northern Territory in the tournament next year to attempt to defend their crown.
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