GEELONG Cats made a dream start to their Victorian Women’s Premier League debut seasons in the 2nds and 3rds divisions. We take a look at how each team fared across the two grades.

Box Hill

2nd XI
Box Hill got off to an ideal start to their 2nd XI season, accounting for Carlton.

Batting first, the Mustangs made 5/218 off their 45 overs, with Amelie Gladman top scoring with 56 not out.

In response the Blues were unable to reach the target, finish on 8/187 off their 45 overs.

3rd XI
Box Hill didn’t quite have the start to the season they were after, comfortably beaten by Carlton. Chasing 144, the Mustangs were bowled out for only 87.

Tanya Arulnabbed 3/24 off eight, including two maidens, while Zoe Spicer took 2/16 off five overs.

Carlton

2nd XI
Carlton’s 2nd XI didn’t start the way they had planned, going down to Box Hill.

Batting first, the Mustangs made 5/218 off their 45 overs. Joeline Herathge was the best of Carlton’s bowlers, taking 2/35 off eight overs.

In response, Mandeep Kaur top scored with 45 as the Blues were unable to reach the target, finish on 8/187 off their 45 overs.

3rd XI
Carlton had an ideal start to their 3^rd XI season though, comfortably beating Box Hill.

After making 144 from their 40 overs, Carlton put on a stellar bowling performance to bowl the Mustangs out for only 87.

Dandenong

2nd XI
Dandenong had a great start to the season, comfortably accounting for Prahran.

On the back of a 77 from Laura Croft and a 68 from captain Jessica Caron, Dandenong posted 4/242 off their 45 overs.

In response, they bowled Prahran out for 132. Grace Wrigglesworth took four wickets and Nilakshi Perera took three wickets.

3rd XI
Due to the state of the pitch at Greaves Reserve, Dandenong’s 3rd XI match against Prahran got abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Essendon Maribyrnong Park

The Bombers had the bye across both grades last weekend, and so have to wait another week to get their season underway.

Geelong

2^nd XI
Geelong’s debut in the 2nd XI competition got off to the perfect start, easily accounting for Plenty Valley.

After bowling the Bats out for only 77 in 19 overs, Geelong then reached the target in 15 overs.

Chloe McKenzie was the pick of Geelong’s bowlers, taking 3/16 off her five overs, which included one maiden. Sarah Pike picked up two wickets, while Chantal Mason, Shanaye Alexander and Bronte Leishman each picked up one.

3rd XI
Geelong had the dream start to their time in the Premier 3rds competition, comfortably defeating Plenty Valley.

After bowling their opponents out for a mere 44, Geelong blew the Bats out of the park, reaching the mark in only the third over.

With very little for the batters to do, the stars of the day were Geelong’s bowlers. Charlotte Poyner picked up 3/6 off her four overs, while Maddison Fitzpatrick took 2/6 off her three overs.

Melbourne

2nd XI
In the Grand Final rematch from last season, Melbourne were able to ensure that history did in fact repeat itself, defeating the Rams again.

Batting first, the Rams made 9/171 off their 45 overs. Indigo Noble was the star with the ball for the Demons, taking 4/29 off seven overs.

In reply, Melbourne made the target in the 34th over, with Mia Perrin scoring a whopping 111 not out of Melbourne’s 172 final score.

3rd XI
After being bowled out for 126 with only five balls left in their innings, Melbourne’s 3rd XI almost got the job done against Ringwood, falling two wickets short.

Kamya Mishra top scored with 33 for the Dees, while a plethora of their bowling lineup each picked up one wicket.

Plenty Valley

2nd XI
Plenty Valley’s 2nd XI season couldn’t have gotten off to a much worse start, comfortably beaten by new kids on the block Geelong.

Plenty Valley batted first and were bowled out for only 77 after 19 overs.

Geelong then reached the target in 15 overs.

3rd XI
Plenty Valley’s 3^rd XI season got off to an even worse start then their 2^nd XI’s season, also comfortably beaten by new kids on the block Geelong.

After Plenty Valley were bowled out in the 23^rd over for only 44, Geelong comfortably reached the target in the third over without losing a wicket

Prahran

2nd XI
The start of Prahran’s 2nd XI season did not quite go to plan, going down to Dandenong.

Bowling first, Prahran could only restrict Dandenong to 4/242 off their 45 overs.

Alexandra Clancy picked up two wickets for Prahran

In reply, Prahran could only manage 132 before being bowled out.

3rd XI
Due to the state of the pitch at Greaves Reserve, Prahran’s 3rd XI match against Dandenong got abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Ringwood

2nd XI
In the Grand Final rematch from last season, Ringwood were unable to exact revenge on Melbourne, going down to the Demons.

Batting first, the Rams made 9/171 off their 45 overs, with Hayley McLaughlin top scoring with 44.

In reply, Melbourne made the target in the 34th over, with McLaughlin the only wicket taker for the Rams.

3rd XI
After bowling Melbourne out for 126 with only five balls left in their innings, Ringwood’s 3rd XI almost didn’t get the job done, but did with two wickets and just under four overs to spare.

The stars for the Rams were definitely their bowlers. Skipper Keely Miutescu took 4/22 off 7.1 overs, Ashmita Dixit took 3/11 off three while Jordyn Allen took 2/7 off eight, including three maidens.

Next week

Bye (both grades) – Geelong

Prahran vs Plenty Valley
2nd XI – 28/11 at 11am – Toorak Park
3rd XI – 28/11 at 12pm – AK Line Reserve              

Ringwood v Carlton
2nd XI – 28/11 at 11am – Russell Lucas Oval
3rd XI – 28/11 at 12pm – HG Smith Oval

Box Hill v Melbourne    
2nd XI – 28/11 at 11am – Box Hill City Oval
3rd XI – 28/11 at 12pm – Beaumaris Secondary College – South Oval

Dandenong v Essendon Maribyrnong Park
2nd XI – 28/11 at 11am – Greaves Reserve #4
3rd XI – 28/11 at 12pm – Aberfeldie Park