The Bay of Plenty Women's cricket team, which leads the ND championship, is looking to extend its lead when it plays Poverty Bay in Gisborne this weekend.

A three from three winning record going into the second half of the representative season, gives the Bay side a good platform to win the Northern Districts title this season.

There will be little time for rest in Gisborne with a Twenty20 encounter on Saturday afternoon, before backing up in a 40 overmatch the next day.

While several regular team members are unavailable for the trip to Poverty Bay – the door of opportunity has opened to allow four youngsters to make their Bay of Plenty senior team debut.

Shonelle Conwell, Anna Henson, Tia Robinson and Jo Tarris will make their Bay Women's senior team debut in Gisborne, after all having performed well for Bay of Plenty age group sides.

The real strength of Bay of Plenty Cricket is the progression of players along the cricket pathway.

The pathway success is the result of a BOP Cricket initiative a decade ago when Bay Cricket was the first in the country to take cricket into the school curriculum.

The naming of Sarah Steenson as captain of the Bay side this weekend provides an outstanding example of the success of the Bay of Plenty pathway.

Sarah was first selected for the Bay Under-14 side while at primary school in Opotiki.

The talented player has progressed through Bay of Plenty age group sides while also earning selection for Northern Districts teams.

BOP Women v Poverty Bay

Sarah Steenson (captain) Kate Anderson, Jacinta Coleman, Shonelle Conwell, Daisy Franks, Anna Henson, Alana Lloyd, Tia Robinson, Aleisha Rosier, Jo Tarris.