SOUTH Morang are on the board in the 2026/27 season of the North Metro Cricket Association’s division 2 women’s competition, while Laurimar’s unbeaten run continues thanks to another dominant performance.
It was a stunning day for cricket and when Natasha Kiper won the toss for the South Morang Lions, it was no surprise she chose to bat against Heidelberg on the home deck at Mill Park Lakes Recreation Reserve.
Openers Emma Leatham and Tara Bethke got the Lions off to the perfect start, steering their team to 0/107 when Leatham retired not out on 53.
Bethke (27) and Janine Slater (16) continued ticking over the scoreboard while Adelle Missen pitched in late with a quickfire 12 to bring the South Morang score to 2/169 at the end of the inning.
With the ball, the Lions’ skipper Kiper was super economical which kept the Heidelberg batters in check early but wickets were hard to come by.
The visitors made their way to 2/110 with 10 overs to go but up stepped Leatham.
Bowled Leatham, bowled Leatham, bowled Leatham read the scorecard as the star batter tore through Heidelberg’s middle order and turned the game on its head with an amazing hattrick.
The Lions attack held firm to keep Heidelberg to 153 in the chase, securing a 16-run win.
Further south in Preston, Laurimar made it three from three with a commanding victory over the Northern Socials.
Bowling first, the Power’s Tara Chetcuti set the tone.
Three wickets in her first two overs, including the Socials’ captain for a first-ball duck, put her side right on top.
Another two scalps in Chetcuti’s second spell gave her figures of 5/3 from five overs and restricted the target score to 94.
A slow but steady start from Chetcuti and opening partner Victoria Mitchell got Laurimar past 50 without losing a wicket.
Chetcuti fell for 27 and Mitchell for 28 but the Power cruised home to win three wickets down with five and a half overs to spare.
In division 4, Laurimar faced Holy Trinity but couldn’t match it with the undefeated Knights at Hayes Park in Thornbury.
Batting first, the Power did well to keep wickets in hand, making their way to 117 after 20 overs thanks in part to Ally Eaton’s 37.
Early inroads with the ball gave the visiting team hope, but a steady third-wicket partnership proved the difference.
Holy Trinity chased the runs down with five wickets in hand and an over remaining.
Ann O’Gorman bowled well once again, taking 2/19 from her four overs.
This weekend, the locals go head-to-head when Laurimar host South Morang in division 2.
Laurimar’s 2nd XI will have a bye.
