Hallam girls win pitch battle

By Gavin Staindl
THE HALLAM College senior girls cricket team has extended its white-hot run of sporting achievements by taking out the state school cricket title last week.
The schoolgirls beat off Pascoe Vale and Healesville to take home the Victorian State School Sports Association title and claim the rare football/cricket quinella.
Only two months ago the same victorious squad of girls claimed the VSSSA football premiership making Hallam the only school to win the girls VSSSA football and cricket premierships in the one year.
Led by Hallam girl’s cricketer of the year, Chloe McMillan, the school progressed through the various zones during the year to qualify for the semi-final.
McMillan took two wickets and allowed only two runs as Hallam bowled Healesville out for 39 before cruising past the target in 14 overs to reach the grand final.
Similar to the football grand final against Northcote, Hallam was never threatened and dismissed Pascoe Vale for 67, passing the target with eight wickets in hand.
McMillan top scored with 28 while Lauren Chalkley, Ellie Blackburn and Makerita Letoga combined for seven wickets that included three runs-outs.
Hallam has now been invited by Cricket Victoria to take part in a four-team competition to determine the state’s best school team.
The prestigious battle for the Lord Tavern Shield that is often reserved for Melbourne’s private schools, will get under way in early December.
It will be the first time Hallam Secondary College has played against the state’s best Catholic and independent schools.