With a number of players away on WBBL duties and several others in study mode for their grade 12 exams, this weekend was always going to be a challenge.
Undeterred, Wests first grade girls fought mightily for a win over the Shine Coast and seconds went down kicking in an arm wrestle against the Gold Coast.
First Grade
First grade wielded the willow first and made a quick start before losing captain Annie Wikman for 25 off just 20 balls. Layla Proctor pounded 52 runs before being dismissed and combined with Tammy Cole and Eliza Goffage for two middle order partnerships. Wests finished with a defendable but low total of 168 all out.
The Sunshine Coast innings began with the loss of an early wicket, then steadied until Jess Bryant broke through to take opener Taylor Stumer’s wicket with the total on 44. Ryleigh Wotherspoon took the third wicket soon after and Sunshine Coast slumped with wickets to Jess Bryant, Annie Wikman and Jess Dennien to be 77 and before the seventh wicket fell to Naiya Varidel with the score on 89. The Sunshine Coast rallied again through a fine innings by their captain Charlotte Ryall before she was dismissed in the final over by Annie Wikman with Wests just three runs in front.
It was a gutsy win, particularly with some many regular players unavailable. Nice work, girls!
Key Stats
- Jess Bryant 2/22 (6)
- Ashleigh Sims 2/26 (10)
- Ryleigh Wotherspoon 2/28 (10)
- Annie Wikman 2/25 (6.3) & 25 (20)
- Jess Dennien 1/27 (10)
- Naiya Varidel 1/21 (4)
- Layla Proctor 52 (63)
- Tammy Cole 30 (58)
- Eliza Goffage 23 (66)
Captain Wikman got Wests’ innings off to a quick start. 
Jess Dennien bowled miserly spells for in her return game for Wests. 
Eliza Goffage cuts through the covers. 
Erin Moran opened with some tight overs. 
Tammy Cole powers up during her innings of 30. 
Layla Proctor celebrates her half century. 
Ash Sims reels off a delivery 
Naiya Varidel pulls through square leg.
Second Grade
With a five key second grade players playing first grade this weekend, this game was always gong to be a challenge. Wests again fielded two debutants with Olivia Totten and Lacey Kennedy making their first appearance in grade cricket for Wests.
Wests opening bowlers made early in-roads into the Gold Coast top order, having their 3 for 35 at one point before Coast opener Melissa Harris got going and piled on a ton. The Coast finished with a hefty 204 from their 40 overs with Tanvi Aiyar and Sophie Martin taking wickets and captain Bec McCoombes towelling up one of the bats with a direct hit runout.
Our bats forge to 86 in good time before the third wicket fell. Three more wickets fell in rapid succession, leaving Wests innings in the balance at 6/87 before Bec Mccoombes (31 off 42) and Kyrna Crump (34 off 59) launched a fightback before Bec eventually fell with the score on 159.
Wests finished with a creditable 175, a 29-run loss. It was a great effort in the face of a big total and the fight augers well for the season.
Second grade have a bye next week. Enjoy your weekend off, ladies!
Key stats
- Sophie Martin 1/26 (8)
- Tanvi Aiyar 1/19 (5)
- Kyrna Crump 34no (59)
- Bec McCoombes 31 (42)
- Kinjal Dani 30 (59)
- Isabel Goffage 27 (47)
- Lilli Hamilton 16 (23)
Kinjal Dani and Isabel Goffage combined for an important 60-run partnership for the second wicket. 
Isobel Hartog shapes up to deliver some punishment! 
Isabel Goffage cuts loose. 
Tanvi Aiyar in flight. 
Sophie Martin took 1/26 from her eight overs.
