TASMANIA is the Queen of the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), after defeating South Australia by nine wickets to earn their first ever title.
Although the South Australians posted a competitive total, a stellar partnership between Elyse Villani and Emma Manix-Geeves ensured Tasmania made light work of the chase.
The South Australians actually chose to bat first, and things started pretty well for them with a 42-run opening partnership. However it was not until Josie Dooley and Courtney Webb put on a 113-run third wicket partnership that things really started to get going for the South Australians.
Then, things took a bit of a turn. They had a late innings wobble to find themselves in a little bit of trouble. They went from 3/208 to 6/239 in the space of only four overs. They lost two more cheap wickets at the back end of the innings to see their innings really fizzle out after it was looking so promising.
In the end, the Scorpions finished on 8/242 from their 50 overs. Unsurprisingly, it was Webb (88) and Dooley (66) who were the top scorers for the Scorpions, but Emma De Broughe also many a decent 48.
The Tasmanian bowlers were very tight with their deliveries, only conceding seven extras across the whole innings. Amy Smith and Molly Strano led the way with three wickets each, while Sasha Moloney nabbed a single wicket. Strano also almost had a hattrick, but unfortunately ran out of balls in the over to complete the feat.
Tasmanian keeper Rachel Priest was also very busy behind the stumps. She took one catch and three stumpings during the innings.
In reply, although the Tasmanians lost Priest in only the ninth over, it was a mere speck of a bump in the road. Manix-Geeves and Villani then put on a 205-run partnership to take the game away from South Australia and ensure the win was smooth sailing for Tasmania. They ultimately reached the target in the 48th over.
Villani finished on 111 not out while Manix-Geeves finished on 104 not out. Meanwhile for the South Australians, the only wicket taker was Samantha Betts.
Villani won Player of the Match honours for her stellar innings, and after seven previous failed attempts has finally won her first WNCL title. It was a memorable day for Manix-Geeves too, who scored her first ever WNCL century.
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