CRICKET
They may have waited until round five to play a game, but Morwell made the most of the opportunity when it defeated Sale-Maffra in their Gippsland Cricket League women’s match earlier this month.
The Tigers’ other opponents this season may have forfeited but the Central Gippsland side finally managed to play in the only round of the month on Sunday, 11 December at Sale.
Sale-Maffra captain Teagan Fairbrother was rewarded after winning the toss and electing to field when opener Bridie Kimpton was bowled for one.
From there, wickets continued to fall regularly as the Tigers slumped to 5/35.
Opener and captain Robin Fitzpatrick dug in and batted with every member of the team, posting a brisk 51 off 78 deliveries.
Fitzpatrick was the only player to reach double figures and the last wicket to fall when she was caught off the bowling of Megen Wrigglesworth.
Morwell was all out for 101 off 39.2 overs.
Wrigglesworth did the damage for the home team, taking 5/16 off 8.2 overs.
Latesha Locker came on at fifth-change and claimed a miserly 3/4 off five overs and Tamara Hall took 2/9 off eight.
The Tigers roared when it was their turn to bowl, with Fitzpatrick and Natalee Lade combining to remove the top four cheaply and leave Sale-Maffra at 4/34.
Hall played a lone hand with the bat for the home team, posting 36 before Sophie Fitzpatrick caught her off the bowling of the Morwell skipper.
After reaching 5/60, Sale Maffra collapsed to be all out for 69.
Fitzpatrick completed a fine all-round performance by taking 4/8 off six overs.
Lisa Bowring took 4/12 off 3.3 overs and Lade took 2/13 off four.
The win leaves Morwell six points clear on top of the ladder, ahead of second-placed Bairnsdale. The Tigers will host Warragul and District at Keegan Street Reserve on Sunday, 15 January.
