CRICKET
CLV WOMENS
By LIAM DURKIN
CRICKET Latrobe Valley women’s grand finals were played last Friday (March 13).
There was no Friday the 13th bad luck for Raiders and Morwell, who won the respective premierships.
Raiders emerged victorious in the premier decider against Willow Grove.
Batting first at Apex Park, the team from Yinnar closed at 6/96 off the allotted 16 overs.
Madison Winter top-scored with 25, and received good support from player of the match Janice Auchterlonie, who made 23.
She was adjudged lbw to Kate Wheildon, one of her three wickets for the game (3/21).
The Wolves were knocked over for 69 in reply.
Only Megan Metcalfe (21 not out) was able to reach double figures.
Zoe Quinsey-Munro led the way with the ball, taking 3/11.
Auchterlonie snared 1/16.
The winning team was: Zoe Quinsey-Munro (captain), Janice Auchterlonie, Harpa Baker, Olivia Allen, Bec Romyn, Roxanne Townsend, Lily Van Berkel, Ebony Wedd and Maddison Winter.
MORWELL survived a late scare to defeat Raiders in the championship final.
The Tigers put up 3/107 off the allotted 16 overs batting first on the Maryvale astro.
Raiders scored 3/90 in reply, as fading light saw the game end in near darkness.
Cara Mayberry played a captain’s knock for the winners, making 26 not out after calling correctly at the toss.
Rajani Pidikiti took 2/9 for Raiders.
Raiders’ innings was not without incident, as a runner had to be called on early in the piece.
Mandy Quinn retired after scoring a run-a-ball 33.
A close chase was on the cards with four overs to go, but the equation became virtually a boundary a ball by the final over.
Lilly Freeman took 2/20, and was named player of the match.
Presentations were held inside the newly refurbished Bernie Vizard Pavilion at Latrobe Cricket Club, as the chill factor outside became significant.
Morwell’s Simone Clymo added another flag to her growing collection, which would now be close to or above double digits.
Latrobe accepted hosting duty at short notice, with the game moved from Apex Park on the Monday leading into the game.
It was felt the match should be played on synthetic given that was the surface most players had played on all season.
The winning team was: Cara Mayberry (captain), Kim Mercieca, Raelene Ball, Bridee Clymo, Simone Clymo, Danielle Cole, Gemma Cukier, Lilly Freeman, Matilda Freeman, Natalie Freeman, Amanda George and Mark Wynne (coach).
CLV continues to set a high bar in women’s cricket.
There was 15 teams across two divisions this season – easily the most of any association across Gippsland.
The competition welcomed players from outside the league to come and have a hit during the week, before playing with their home clubs on a weekend.
Raiders, Centrals and Willow Grove all fielded two teams.
