THE penultimate round of the season in both the seconds and thirds competition brought some thrilling results, and sets things up for an exciting final round this coming weekend.

Essendon Maribyrnong Park vs Melbourne

2nd XI

EMP continued the upset wins trend set by their 1st XI, inflicting on Melbourne only their second loss of the season.

After bowling the Dees out for 119, the Bombers only needed 37 overs to get the job done. Hannah Rooke was an absolute star with the ball for the Bombers, taking 5/40 off her 9 overs, which included one maiden. Meanwhile for the Dees, Felicity Leighton and Kampi Nainhabo both took two wickets.  

3rd XI

Melbourne’s 3rd XI reversed the trend of the weekend and actually beat the Bombers.

Batting first, the Dees made a very competitive 1/177 off their 40 overs. Vanchica Pathania made 59 while Kamya Mishra made 52. In reply, the Bombers just lost too many wickets too quickly and were bowled out for 154. Heidi Stansfield was the pick of the Dees bowlers with three.

Carlton vs Plenty Valley

2nd XI

Carlton heaped more pain on Plenty Valley and continued the Bats’ awful season. Batting first, the Blues made a staggering 1/331 off their 45 overs.

This stellar innings with led by Charli McLennan, who belted 153 off 143 balls. She was ably assisted by a 69 from Gemma Boyd and a 54 from Honey Raut.

Despite almost lasting all their overs, Plenty Valley’s score didn’t get close to Carlton’s and they were bowled out for 85. Boyd was also the best of the Blues bowlers with three, while Emily Byrne took two.

3rd XI

Unfortunately due to Covid isolation issues in the Plenty Valley camp, the 3rd XI game was abandoned on the morning of the match.

Ringwood vs Prahran

2nd XI

The 2nd XI encounter was an absolute thriller. Prahran first made 5/157 off their 45 overs, off the back of a 49 from Madeleine Stirling and a 40 from Matilda Prendergast.

Haylee Landi and Sophie Rohkamper were the pick of the Rams bowlers with two wickets each.

In its chase, Ringwood were nine wickets down, but itching closer and closer to the target. Some late maidens didn’t help their cause, but they then equalled Prahran’s score. Unfortunately for the Rams, they then lost their final wicket so the match was ultimately a tie.

Nikita Liyanage was the star with the ball for the True Blues, taking four wickets. Prendergast also took two wickets.

3rd XI

Despite a shocking innings with the bat, Ringwood managed to hold on and beat Prahran.

Batting first, the Rams were bowled out for 97. Only Jas Harrison and former Ram who was a top up on the weekend Olivia Aing made double figure scores, with both making 22.

Anna Quinsey-Munro was the pick of Prahran’s bowlers with three each, with Zoe Quinsey-Munro took two.

In reply, Prahran almost reached the target within 24 overs, but were bowled out for 92. Only Rasandi Padmaperuma and Zoe Quinsey-Munro made double figure scores with 18 and 21 respectively. Jordyn Allen was the pick of the Rams bowlers with three, while Mikayla Lewis-Simmonds and Lainie Price took two each.

Geelong vs Dandenong

2nd XI

Dandenong earned themselves a handy win against the Cats.

Batting first, Dandenong didn’t have the greatest innings with the bat and only made 134 before being dismissed.

For the Cats, it was skipper Renee Cox who had a real captain’s innings with the ball. She took four wickets, and was ably aided by a three wicket haul from Bronte Leishman.

In reply, a 40 from Cox was not enough as many of her teammates failed around her and the Cats were all out for 117. Grace Wrigglesworth, Jessica Sanders and Keely Pace all picked up two wickets each for the Panthers in the win.

3rd XI

Meanwhile in the 3rd XI it was a different story, as Geelong easily accounted for the Panthers. Dandenong batted first and made 117, but Geelong did not even need 21 overs to reach the target. Sophie Walsh was the star with the ball with the Cats with four wickets, with Ella Couch top scoring with 46.