First Grade vs Valleys
Our first grade women fought hard but ultimately succumbed to a 42-run away loss against Valleys at Ashgrove this weekend.
Valleys put some early runs on the board before Meagan Dixon removed their Valleys openers Charli Knott and Lucy Bourke, Jess Bryant Bryant followed up having Mikayla Hinkley removed caught behind by Scarlett Varidel (in her first grade debut) with the score on 93. Holly Ferling trapped Sianna Ginger lbw in the 30th over and Valleys were 4/126 and the game was evenly balance.
The Valley middle order of Georgia Prestwidge and Lexi Muller then put on a display of batting fireworks and advanced the score to 257 before Lexi was removed by Meagan. Four more wickets fell in quick succession with one to Courtney Sippel, two to Meagan and a runout to Olivia Steel and Meagan but it was not enough to slow Valleys momentum and they finished with a very strong 278 with nine down.
Wests batting began strongly with Annie Wikman and Meagan putting on a 72-run opening stand before Meagan fell for 32. Courtney joined Annie at the crease and they advanced the total to 174 before Annie was out caught for 93 (her highest score in grade cricket!). Naiya Varidel and Courtney added another 41 for the third wicket before Courtney fell for 57 pushing for quick runs. Several wickets fell in quick succession, building pressure on the remaining batsmen as the required run rate began to climb steeply. When Naiya was caught hooking on the fine leg boundary, Wests were seven down and still 56 runs behind with only a few overs to go. Isabel Hartog and Olivia Steel provided final resistance for the last wicket but Wests were eventually all out for 236 in the 49th over.
Tough loss girls, but you went down fighting!
Individual statistics:
- Annie Wikman 93 (99)
- Courtney Sippel 57 (70) & 1/46 (10)
- Meagan Dixon 32 (45) & 5/63 (10)
- Naiya Varidel 15 (28)
- Holly Ferling 1/37 (10)
- Jessica Bryant 1/43 (7)
Ash Sims releases a fizzer! 
Meagan Dixon chalked up a five-fa. 
Annie Wikman racked up a fantastic 93 off 99 balls. 
Naiya Varidel cover drives. 
Courtney Sippel in flight. 
Scarlett Varidel played her debut game in first grade. 
Holly Ferling mid-gather.
Second Grade – Bye
Second grade had a week off this week with a bye. They’ll be back in action against Sandgate-Redcliffe at Graceville next week.
