Big first-up win for Wests’ girls

Women’s first grade started with a cracker of a game against last season’s one day champions, Sandgate-Redcliffe. The Westies rocked up hyped and energized to go head to head with the renowned side and formally welcome some new players to the team; Layla Proctor, Olivia Steel and Ryleigh Wotherspoon.  

The doggies lost the toss and started off the day in the field. Opening from the far end was WBBL star, Holly Ferling, who steamed in and took a whopping 2 for 12 in her first 4ov spell. She was then backed up by a fellow WBBL player, Courtney Sippel who helped suffocate the run rate. Then Sandgate-Redcliffe got back on their feet but the Westies weren’t going to let that get in the way. They stuck with it and held onto the reigns, taking control of the scoreboard. Grace Harris joined in on the fun and took 1 for 28 off 10ov, with the odd bit of backyard banter of course. Accompanying Grace, Captain, Meagan Dixon, jumped into action taking 2 for 24 off 9ov. Finally, Courtney Sippel took 2 for 23 off 9ov, to knock Sandgate-Redcliffe over for 156 in the 50th over. 

After the short break, in went Grace Harris and Annie Wikman to bring the westies to victory. Together they achieved a 131-run partnership when Grace went big at debutant Sandgate leggie Darcy Johnson first ball and got caught with a tough one on the boundary. If you ask me that ball was either, caught, 6 or many broken fingers! Grace left the field having scored 76 off 60 balls, and was replaced at the crease by Courtney Sippel who built a steady partnership with Annie, bringing the Westie girls home in just the 27th over.  

Individual statistics:

• Holly Ferling 3/25 off (10) 
• Courtney Sippel 2/23 (9.2) 
• Meagan Dixon 2/24 (9) 
• Grace Harris 76 (60) & 1/28 (10)
• Annie Wikman 69no (89) & 1/5 (2) 

Big congratulations to first grade debutants Layla Proctor and Olivia Steel.