The NZ Police Cricket women’s team members were pleased to face opposition closer to their own age in the inaugural Women’s Masters Cricket Tournament after having played four of the five previous tournaments against under-19 development teams.

But age was no barrier as Queenstown turned on brilliant weather during the competition in March. Former England international Mandie Godliman led Canterbury, while ex-White Fern Nicola Browne captained Queensland. The Rest of NZ team also included several former domestic players. NZ Police (NZP) boasted their own stars, including former White Ferns Sian Ruck and Holly Huddleston, alongside six former domestic players and capable club cricketers.

Canterbury won the toss in the opening game and elected to bowl. NZP lost both openers for just one run before Holly and Olivia Gregory steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership. Olivia scored a run-a-ball 37, and Holly remained unbeaten on 56 off 49 balls, taking NZP to 119 for four. 

Canterbury fought back with Mandie carrying her bat for 38 not out, supported by former Black Fern Amiria Rule’s 48. Tight bowling from Holly (4 overs for 8) and Sian (2 for 21 off four) restricted Canterbury to 112 for 5, leaving NZP with a five-run win.

Game two against Queensland was tighter. Sharing the bowling workload, NZP held Queensland to 104 for 4. Despite Holly’s 25, NZP fell eight runs short, finishing on 96 for 8. After the first day, all four teams had one win and one loss, setting up semi-final-style matches on day two.

NZP’s next game, on the main international pitch at Queenstown Event Centre, began disastrously. Four wickets fell for just nine runs against Rest of NZ. Sian and Olivia then built a patient 99-run partnership, with Sian making 34 and Olivia unbeaten on 42, lifting NZP to 115 for 5. NZP’s bowlers, aided by Alana Cameron’s two wickets in two balls, restricted Rest of NZ to 94 for 4.

The final pitted NZP against a strong Canterbury side, with plenty of friendly banter between former and current teammates. Canterbury batted first, with Mandie top-scoring with 37 and Amiria adding 30. Impressive bowling from Zara McWilliams (2 for 15 off 4) and skipper Kelly Habraken (3 for 22 off 4) kept Canterbury to 122 for 7.
 

Chasing the tournament’s highest score, NZP sent in big-hitter Wheturangi Campbell, who struck 20 off 12 balls. Kelly and Holly then took control, keeping NZP just ahead before Kelly departed for 21. Sian sealed the win with four balls to spare, Holly unbeaten on 53, sparking celebrations against the backdrop of the Remarkables mountains. Kelly proudly lifted the trophy donated by New Zealand Cricket.

NZP team manager Glenn Dawson, attending his final tournament with the team, said the event was a huge success. 

“It was great to see all the friendships rekindled from many years ago across all the teams. The standard of cricket was very high with so many players having previously played at representative levels. This is one of the most tight-knit teams I have ever been involved with.”

Glenn also paid tribute to Sophie Gurnsey and Megan Tuapawa, who have played in every NZP match, earning 21 caps each. With plans to expand the tournament to six or eight teams next year, the NZP women’s team looks set to build on a memorable result.