THE Boonah State High School girls' team have been crowned intermediate southern cricket champions after defeating Beenleigh's Trinity College at Jimboomba this week.
The final round of the StreetSmarts secondary schools T20 tournament was played at Glenlogan Park on Tuesday.
Sweltering conditions did not stop the teams from playing at the top of their game, with the Boonah girls ultimately named the top team in the Southern Downs, Ipswich, Logan and the Gold Coast.
They will now contest the state final.
Many members of the team came to cricket through vigoro, a sport which is popular around Ipswich and the Scenic Rim.
It tends to be faster-paced than cricket, with a shorter pitch, lighter balls and a bat shaped like a paddle.
"If you're going to hit it, you've got to flog it," one player said. "They don't bowl it in vigoro, they peg it."
In vigoro, when the ball is hit forward of the crease, the batters must run.
Team members said had been a smooth transition to cricket.
"You have to remember not to run, that's the only hard part."
Coach Yvette McAlister said the girls - who were in years 8 and 9 - had taken to the sport quickly.
Trent Walters from Queensland Cricket said the secondary schools T20 tournament could pave the way for girls to get involved in their local club.
"We run (this competition) to make sure we're offering opportunities at a rep level for our high school students as well, and students who may be interested in cricket but not at a club level yet," he said.
Despite going down to Boonah, the Beenleigh team put up a strong fight.
Michael Prigg from Trinity College said the girls had shown vast improvement throughout the competition.
"A few of our girls were brand new to cricket, just eager to get involved (and it is) great that they have this opportunity," he said.
"Trinity's trying to introduce a talented athlete program for cricket next year....so it's a great way for (students) to get a taste now to see if that might be a subject they want to select next year."
Jimboomba Cricket Club president Rodney Teese said it had been an honour for Jimboomba to host the competition and encouraged young people to try out the sport.
Visit the Jimboomba Bushrangers Facebook page for more information on local cricket teams and events.