IT is halfway through the Women’s Premier 1sts competition, so over the next week we are taking a look at where all the teams are sitting as we head into the back half of the season. Today’s focus is Melbourne Demons, who could not have asked for a much better start to their season.

The season thus far

The Demons have had a brilliant start to the 2021/22 season, and are currently in first place on the ladder. They reached the halfway mark of the season as the only undefeated team in the competition, and they have been the dominant side of the competition thus far.

Although they have not made as many runs as second placed Carlton, they have still made considerably more runs than any of the other sides in the competition thus far. Apart from Carlton, the Dees are the only other side to make over 1,000 runs so far this season.

They have also taken the most wickets (45 vs the next best at 41) and their net run rate is also considerably better than any of the other sides. Their run rate is 1.686, while the next best is Carlton, with 0.926.

Who’s played well?

One thing that has certainly not been an issue for the Dees so far this season has been runs. The player that has hit the most runs for the Dees so far this is Amy Vine. In her four matches so far this season, she has hit 241 runs at an average of 120.5 and a strike rate of 80.1. Her highest score so far this season was 116 not out, and she has hit one 50 and a century. She has also only gone out once.

Stephanie Townsend has also been in fine form with the bat in the first half of the season. She has hit 174 runs at an average of 58 and an average of 79.1 in her four matches so far this innings. Her high score for the season so far is 106. Rounding out the top five on the batting table for the Dees is Ella Hayward, Hayleigh Brennan and Zoe Samuel.

In terms of bowlers, it is Hasrat Gill who tops the tally. Gill is the only Dee to have taken a double-digit number of wickets so far this season with 11. She has taken 11/103 from 28.1 overs so far this season. She has an average of 9.36 and an economy rate of 3.66.

Brennan has also bowled well so far this season. She has taken 9/126 from 42 overs, which includes a whopping 10 maidens. Her average has been 14 so far this season, and her economy rate is a very nice and small 3. Rounding out the top five bowlers is Samuel, Erika Quinn and Hayward.

The rest of the season ahead

There is absolutely no reason to suggest Melbourne’s good form so far this season will not continue. They have an interesting month coming up, with two matches against Plenty Valley and one each against Carlton and Ringwood. Win all four of those and the Dees are going to be one hard side to catch heading into finals.