TASMANIA’S great run in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) continued yesterday, defeating South Australia by five wickets and further entrenching its hold on second place on the WNCL ladder.

The South Australians chose to bat first, but it proved to be not a fruitful one early when they lost their first wicket with only eight runs on the board. Bridget Patterson and Josie Dooley then settled the innings and got things back on track for the Scorpions. They then lost a number of wickets cheaply before steadying and getting back on track.

Ellie Falconer and Samantha Betts put on a 63 run partnership at the back end of the innings to help their side set a very competitive total of 8/222 off their 50 overs. It was Falconer who top scored for the Scorpions with five not out, while Patterson made 37.

Meanwhile for Tasmania, Amy Smith was the main destroyer with the ball with three wickets, while Molly Strano and Sasha Moloney took two each. In reply, Rachel Priest was not able to replicate her efforts from the other day, and she was dismissed cheaply to find the Tasmanians at 1/4 in only the first over.

Elyse Villani and Emma Manix-Geeves then got the Tasmanian innings back on track with a 109-run partnership. The partnership was the one that really ensured the Tasmanians were in the match. Although they lost a number of wickets after that, they still reached the target with over 10 overs to spare. Villani was the top scoring Tasmanian with 63, while Strano finished on 49 not out and Manix-Geeves finished on 44.

Meanwhile for South Australia, Kate Peterson topped the bowling tally with two wickets.

Tasmania do not have to wait too long for its next encounter. The Tigers are up against the Breakers on Monday.

Meanwhile for South Australia, the Scorpions do not have to wait too much longer than the Tasmanians for their next clash. They are up against the Meteors on Tuesday.