By Josh Squire
WALLAN has won the Gisborne District Cricket Association’s Women’s A grade competition thanks to an incredible performance from its captain Megan Farrell on Sunday.
Facing off against Gisborne, Wallan won the toss and chose to field but found themselves behind early.
Openers Brianna Woodburn and Emily McDonald helped Gisborne to 54 without loss before Emersyn Castle struck in the 14th over, removing McDonald for 29.
Woodburn, the most prolific batter in the competition with an astonishing 581 runs across the season, continued on to a well made 50 but couldn’t find a partner to go with her as Wallan did their best to contain the scoring rate.
The Magpies were elated when they dismissed the Gisborne captain, caught by Terrie Haydon off the bowling of Farrell for 61, and quickly removed the bottom order after that.
From 5/119, Wallan took the next five wickets for just 14 runs to leave Gisborne all out for 133, giving them great momentum for their batting innings.
Farrell ended with 4/18 while Haydon snared three wickets of her own. Castle, Lara Vecchie and Kia Montgomery shared one each.
It was a shaky start to the chase for Wallan when they lost Emily Telford in the first over, however Farrell’s presence at the crease meant that the target was still well within reach.
Accompanied by Charli Laity, the pair batted steadily, putting on 76 together before Laity was bowled for 30 with Wallan still needing a further 52 runs.
Kia Montgomery’s run-a-ball 15 brought Wallan closer to victory, as did supporting cameos from Kasey Lennox and Renee Kelly, but it was always going to be Farrell’s wicket that proved the difference.
In what turned out to be a decisive 24th over, Farrell hit back-to-back boundaries, the first picked up nicely off her pads and over square leg and the second plastered through cover, to bring them within 20.
With ten balls to spare, she pushed a single to mid-on to go past the target and clinch the win for the Magpies, the first women’s premiership in their history.
Scenes of jubilation ensued. The crowd cheered and Kelly threw her bat in the air while the ever cool Farrell looked like she’d just finished after another day at the office.
She was awarded Player of the Match for her 63 not out and four wickets.
“I was confident as long as we got the wickets and had the batters at the end,” she said.
“I’ll be back next year … I love playing with this team.”
GDCA secretary Callum Jackman said: “This has been a high quality A grade grand final. Both teams played it out and I commend you all on that.”
In the B grade final, Lancefield Yellow were beaten by a rampant Melton Centrals at Lancefield Park.
Set 172 to win off just 20 overs, the Tigers batted well but didn’t have the fire power to chase it down, falling 46 runs short.
Emily Consiglio once again posted a half century, while Molly Consiglio (27 not out) and Megan Richardt (23) offered strong support.
Destinee-Jayde Montalto was the best with the ball picking up two wickets for the minor premiers.
