Queensland has won its first title in the women's division of the National Indigenous Cricket Championships, defeating New South Wales by 8 wickets at Traeger Park.
The historic win ends New South Wales' combined 13-year reign in the women's division of the National Indigenous Cricket Championships and Imparja Cup, defeated by a spirited Queensland side for the second time in the tournament.
Queensland (2-81) defeated New South Wales (5-77) by 8 wickets
Queensland won the toss and sent New South Wales in to bat, the decision paying early dividends for the women in maroon with captain Christina Coulson (2-9 from four) dismissing key New South Wales batter Roxsanne Van Veen (9 from 12) halfway through the fourth over.
Her dismissal brought Callee Black to the crease, the left hander striking two boundaries on her way to an innings-high 24 (29).
However after Tracee Williamson (1-9 from two) dismissed Black caught at cover the scoring rate slowed, with tight Queensland bowling putting the brakes on New South Wales' innings.
Following Black's dismissal Taheha Urszalak (14 from 26) and Aimee Ravot (12* from 32) made double figure contributions, with Clodagh Ryall (1-18 from four) and Carys Underwood (1-8 from two) in the wickets for Queensland.
Queensland made short work of the moderate chase, surpassing New South Wales' score with more than nine overs to spare.
Williamson was dominant with the bat, the opener striking four boundaries and a six on her way to an unbeaten 41 from 28 balls.
Double-figure scores also came from Lucy Neuman (14 from 21) and Courtney Fewquandie (10 from 7), with Williamson bringing up the winning runs in style, hitting a boundary to complete the win from the second last ball of the 11th over.
Black (1-16 from three) and Ravot (1-20 from three) were the wicket takers for New South Wales, with Williamson named Player of the Match.
Following the match, Williamson said guidance from Queensland women's coach Ash Renouf gave her confidence in the successful chase, after she failed with the bat against New South Wales earlier in the tournament.
"Ash told us to go out there and play our natural game," Williamson said.
"A few things went my way today. Let's face it, cricket is one of those games where you're either in the penthouse or in the port house, and today I'm in the penthouse.
"For me it was to continue to make those boundaries, get those runs quick … and come home with the choccies."
Williamson said after a memorable first National Indigenous Cricket Championships campaign with Queensland, she 'definitely' plans to return to the tournament next year.
"And I intend to spread the word in North Queensland, to all of the young girls coming through that this is definitely a fantastic place to be to grow your cricket.
"And also to be part of something bigger."
