WALLAN has fought off its first big test of the season in the Gisborne District Cricket Association’s women’s A grade competition, beating last year’s runners-up Gisborne by 16 runs at Greenhill Reserve.
Batting first in near-perfect conditions, Wallan captain Megan Farrell and new opening partner Luzanne de Kock got the Magpies off to a great start.
A run out in the 14th over spelled the end for de Kock’s innings, but Farrell continued on her merry way to chalk up a second fifty from as many games.
She eventually fell for 64, but Kia Montgomery tipped in a more than handy 41 not out to get Wallan to a competitive total of 8/135.
With star batter Brianna Woodburn opening the batting for Gisborne, her wicket was always the focus for the Wallan bowlers.
Others fell around her as Farrell and Montgomery consistently honed in on the stumps, but Terri Haydon produced the goods for Wallan when she struck Woodburn on the pads and she was given out leg-before-wicket.
A late cameo from Gisborne’s Ruby Watts threatened to take the game away from the home side, but it was quelled by Farrell and she took a third just a few balls later.
The Magpies took the final wicket through Bridget Knippel in the 25th over with Gisborne stranded on 119.
Haydon and Montgomery both took a couple of wickets to assist Farrell’s bag of three.
Out west, Lancefield couldn’t break through Bacchus Marsh’s batting lineup and eventually went down by 77 runs.
Choosing to bowl first, Lancefield was greeted by aggressive top order batting with the top three for the Bulls all reaching half centuries.
Set 181 to win, Lancefield’s Emily Consiglio stepped up like she usually does but the chase proved to be a step too far.
Her 46 not out was valiant, but not enough to get the Tigers in the hunt.
They finished 2/103 after 20 overs.
In B grade, Broadford suffered a second-straight loss, this time at the hands of Sunbury United at Harley Hammond Reserve.
Captain Brooke Jeffrey took the new ball and set the tone with a maiden in the first over.
Sunbury United was patient though, waiting for the bad ball to come and making the most of the opportunities that popped up.
Melodie Bassett (2/13 off four overs) produced key breakthroughs when she came on, and a late wicket to Jeffrey meant that Sunbury’s innings ended at 4/120.
In reply, opener Lana Wood was forced to retire hurt early on and Jeffrey fell for just 13.
Bassett scored a team-high 29 not out and was assisted well by Charlotte Earl’s 13, but the home team were always behind.
In the end, Broadford was 23 runs short of the target and six wickets down.
This Sunday, Lancefield will host Macedon with both sides searching for their first wins, while Wallan will make the trek down to Melton to play the Centrals.
Broadford head into uncharted territory to face newcomers the Western Lions.
