Wests’ ladies began the weekend with a bang taking out the Paul Pink Shield premiership on Friday, then followed up with two fighting grade cricket games on Sunday. With our rep players away on WNCL duties and a number of other senior players unavailable in both grades, the girls took out a win in firsts and a hard-fighting loss in seconds.
First Grade vs Valleys
The first grade women played out of their skins, taking out a virtually full strength Ipswich line-up with only six regular first grade players available.
Ipswich lost opener Hannah Freiberg early to the bowling of Ash Sims, then rapidly advanced to 36 on the back of big hitting by Ellie Johnston before she was run out by a sharp throw from Naiya Varidel fielding at backward point for 29 off just 19 balls.
Ipswich again settled to reach 77 before Rachel Johnston holed out to Jess Bryant for 17 at deep mid wicket off Naiya’s legspin bowling. Off spinner Lilli Hamilton struck for her maiden first grade wicket in her maiden first grade game in the next over having Kira Holmes (19) edge a cut to Naiya who took a diving catch at backward point. Two balls later, Naiya struck again trapping Lucy Neumann lbw, and Lilli Hamilton followed up with the wicket of Olivia Winter in the next over, leaving Ipswich in deep trouble at 6/82.
Ipswich rallied to take the score to 104 when Ash Sims took the seventh wicket, Jess the eighth and Lilli took the ninth. Ipswich clawed their way to 133 before Naiya and keeper Layla Proctor combined to take final wicket with a stumping.
Wests batting began slowly with the early loss of Layla and Naiya, but steadied in the hands of captain Annie Wickman and Eliza Goffage before rain interrupted play. Soon after the resumption of play Annie departed with the score on 58. Emma Lockwood edged one behind and Wests were under some pressure at 4/59.
Rain again stopped play for an extended period, and play restarted with Wests chasing a revised total of 98 from 32 overs. Eliza and Tammy Cole steadily worked away at the total until Eliza was dismissed in the 28th over with the score on 84 and the end in sight. Ash Sims and Tammy reeled off the final runs for a well-deserved 5-wicket victory.
Congratulations on an important win against a strong Ipswich team under testing circumstances ladies!
Key player stats:
- Annie Wikman 30 (50)
- Eliza Goffage 24 (74)
- Tammy Cole 16* (41)
- Lilli Hamilton 3/15 (10)
- Naiya Varidel 3/20 (7.2)
- Ashleigh Sims 2/24 (10)
- Jess Bryant 1/34 (8)
Annie Wikman punches into the off side. 
Rain delay… 
Naiya Varidel rumbles a leggie down wicket.
Paul Pink Shield vs Souths
Wests girls took out the Paul Pink Shield premier Youth Girls premiership in stirring style on Friday night with a strong win over previously unbeaten fellow-finalists Souths.
The girls brought out their best cricket for the final, bowling and fielding brilliantly and backing it up with strong batting to take out the match and seal the premiership for the second time in three years.
Second Grade vs Sunshine Coast
Wests travelled to the Sunshine Coast to take on the Sunshine Coast with just six of the team’s regular players available but with great determination to seal the win.
Sunshine Coast won the toss and put Wests in to bat. The Wests girls were in early trouble with the loss of key bats Scarlett Varidel and Tanvi Aiyar to runouts. Kinjal Dani and Bec McCoombes dug in and progressed the score to 42 after 17 overs when Bec was dismissed. Kinjal departed just before the drinks break with the score on 47. Holly Walker scored an energetic 12 including some great pull shots and cover drives before she was dismissed and Kyrna Crump took the crease and combined with Sophie Martin and Stella Scott to finish the innings at 9/117.
Wests bowling suffered an early blow with the loss of quicks Holly Walker and Erin to injury but the girls stepped up and still delivered a fighting defence with Tanvi and Kyrna taking wickets. Tanvi bowled with characteristic economy giving up only eight runs from her four overs.
Unfortunately, the girls just didn’t have enough runs on the board and the Sunshine Coast girls passed their total in the 27th over for an 8-wicket win.
Despite the loss, the game was a great opportunity to give our young players some grade cricket experience and they did the club proud with a display of rapidly improving skill and determination. Based on this performance, the future of women’s cricket at Wests is looking good!
- Kyrna Crump 19* (45) & 1/39 (8)
- Kinjal Dani 15 (60)
- Holly Walker 12 (22)
- Tanvi Aiyar 1/8 (4)
Classic Holly Walker cover drive. 
Chloe Duce looks for space through the off side. 
Bec McCoombes punches off the back foot. 
A watchful Kinjal Dani. 
Sophie Martin sights the target. 
Erin shapes up. 
Kyrna Crump rocks one back past the bowler.
