Match Report – Round 5
Wanneroo 154 (Crafford 41, Nicholls 26*) def. Subiaco-Floreat 7/111 (Jesani 2/21)
We welcomed Subi Floreat to Kingsway who won the toss and asked us to bat on a pitch that again looked healthy for runs. Another tentative start from our openers provided only a few runs before Tene and Shayna applied some stability. Shayna threatened to build another innings but missed out alongside Eva who also stuck around for several overs. Tene continued to compile on the runs and delivered a fine innings of 41 from 37 balls. Other contributions were much more consistent than previous weeks, Ella 18, Mathilda 16, Emilie 26 & Grace 11 provided much needed partnerships for us to post a healthier final total of 154. What remained to be seen was how we would now look to defend against a more robust total.
In summary our bowling stood up to the test although we were made to work for every wicket through some useful partnerships that Subi pulled together. C Bekker 36 from 50 an K Johnson 19 from 70 provided the backbone to their innings. Notable bowling displays again returned pleasing figures, our opening pair of Emma and Emilie sharing 5 overs apiece and allowing Subi just 15 runs between them. 8 over allocations went via Ella 1/21 & Shayna 2/21 with useful cameos from Erin 1/1 and Talia 0/11 applying more pressure seeing Subi fall well short on 7/111. Wickets were aided with some high quality catching, ground fielding and run outs although some fielding was on occasions was more basic. However toil and graft over a full 40 overs provided a valuable test for our Female Roo’s, such a test may return what is required to perform against Midland Guildford in the Youth Premier League 40 over Grand Final.
Match Report – Grand Final
Wanneroo 91 (Crafford 36) def. by Midland-Guildford 9/92 (Stewart 3/15, Harvey 2/20, Nicholls 2/24)
Winning the toss we chose to bat and our start which had stuttered in the 40 over comp all season got off to a great start. At 1/50 we looked rosy with Tene looking confident scoring 36 from 34 balls. Talia patiently contributed 15 and departed when the score was on 59, we had lost 3 and 4 cheaply and our middle order this time stuttered with from numbers 3 to 11, all reaching single figures only. It was light even by our standards and would take a monumental effort to defend.
Focused and together in the field we set about our work with Emma and Emilie opening in their usual fashion bowling tightly and with good line and length. Emilie snagged their opener trapped in front when the score was just 1/2. A Midland partnership began reaching 34 and with an element of control on the game. We needed to stem the flow of runs but more importantly take wickets. Shayna and Ella did both and also bowling their full allocation of 8 overs, Shayna 1/8 and Ella 3/15. At 7/78 Midland didn’t look so in control and the game really could have gone either way. It’s at this point that all those hours spent together pays off, the chat in the field, the supporting, the nods and winks to each other are what make the bond so special. Emma Harvey also bowling her full 8 returned 2/20 and we were within a whisker of pulling off a fantastic win. I McKeon was stubborn to the end 23 from 53 balls but she took on the arm of Josie Beckett at her peril and came off second best. Watching Midland bat at the end was not pretty but effective. The 38th over produced the winning run for Midland, what happened next for Wanneroo again tapped into the bond that has been building all season, it was about the squad at that point looking out for one another and sharing loss and learning from it. I have every confidence that come next season it will make Wanneroo 17’s stronger and more hungry to finish it off when the opportunity presents itself.