Wests premier female teams wrapped up a trifecta of wins in three grades over the weekend with our first and second grade women’s teams sealing strong wins after the Paul Pink Shield girls started the ball rolling with a big semi-final win on Friday night.
First Grade vs Gold Coast
The Gold Coast elected to wield the willow first on a clear day at Bill Pippen Oval, and were quickly in some trouble when Holly Ferling captured the wicket of Georgia Redmayne in the first over. The coast girls took the score to 32 before Holly struck twice more. Megan Dixon captured the wicket of the Dolphin’s top scorer Tara Wheeler and Grace Harris removed Eliza Flynn shortly after to reduce the opposition to 5/48 in the 20th over. From there it was a slow grind to the finish line with the final wicket falling in the 41st over for 98 runs.
Holly Ferling bagged five poles for just 20 runs, Grace Harris collected three and Megan Dixon one. Courtney Sippel ened the Gold Coast innings with a direct hit runout.
Wests made short work of the run chase, completing the task in the twelfth over for a nine wicket win. Grace Harris led the way with a rapid 63no from 32 balls and Courtney Sippel chipped in with 25 at more than a run-a-ball.
The win consolidates the team in third position on the Katherine Raymont Shield One Day ladder. Next week it will be over to the young guns with the club’s WNCL players heading off to fulfil state duties!
Individual Stats:
- Grace Harris 63no (32) & 3/18 (10)
- Courtney Sippel 25no (22)
- Holly Ferling 5/20 (8.3)
- Megan Dixon 1/31 (10)
Holly Ferling dismantled the Gold Coast batting order taking 5/20. 
Grace Harris cuts. 
Annie Wikman on the drive.
Second Grade vs Redlands
Second grade captain Isobel Hartog lost the toss for the girls game against Redlands, following the lead of our first grade captain Annie Wickman who also lost the toss for their game against the Gold Coast. Happily Redlands invited the second grade ladies to take up their cudgels and they made the most of it by belting 219 runs in their 40 overs.
Wests innings started with a stutter, emulating the Paul pink Shield game on Friday night both losing both openers Issy Hartog and Emma Lockwood within the first few overs. The emulation continued with a big partnership for the third wicket when the No.3 and No.4 bats Isabel Goffage and Lilli Hamilton stacked on 112 runs before Lilli was dismissed for 35 and Scarlett Varidel entered the arena. Isabel Goffage departed for 63 soon after, leaving the team well placed at 4/137 in the 26th over but feeling slightly precarious.
Scarlett steadily accumulated runs with the assistance of several batting partners until The Jessinator Bryant arrived in the middle and the duo proceeded to smoke 34 runs from the last four overs and complete the innings with 219 runs.
Wests bowling innings began with opening quick Sophie Martin knocking over Redlands top four bats, leaving them reeling at 4/31. Redlands staged a mini-revival before Deepika Bogahawatta (on debut in women’s grade cricket) snared Redlands fifth wicket in her second over leaving them at 5/62.
At that point the end seemed to be nigh for the Redlands innings, but they rallied again! Wests girls appeared to be losing control of the innings as Redlands strode to 153 and were beginning consider the possibility of a famous victory on the back of some solid hitting by Makayla Montgomery (67) and Sophie Whittaker (35). Then Isabel Goffage combined with keeper Scarlett to have Sophie caught behind, and the two repeated the formula in Isabel’s next over to remove Makayla. Sophie Martin then returned to terrorise the tail and succeeded admirably, capturing the final two wickets and completing her first grade cricket six-fa!
Redlands were dismissed for 165, completing a 54-run victory for the Dogs.
Individual Stats:
- Isabel Goffage 63 (69) & 2/8 (4)
- Lilli Hamilton 35(55)
- Scarlett Varidel 29no (44)
- Jess Bryant 15no (13)
- Sophie Martin 6/34 (7.5)
- Deepika Bogahawatta 1/24 (3)
Isabel Goffage drives during her innings of 63. 
Lilli Hamilton awaits the next ball with “four” written on it. 
Scarlett Varidel lines up to give the midwicket fielder some fetching practice! 
Emma Lockwood wheels around for a second run. 
Ready… 
…wicket! 
Sophie Martin bagged her first grade cricket six-fa! 
Lacey Kennedy shapes up. 
Talking tactics.
Paul Pink Shield vs Sunshine Coast
Our Premier Youth Girls team romped to a strong semi-final win over the Sunshine Coast in the Paul Pink Shield at the Chelmer Sports Ground on Friday night.
The girls will play the final next Friday night (January 29) at 6:30pm at Chelmer Sports Ground.
Read all about it in the match report!
