Wanderers beat Sportsmans in grand final preview while Towns crush Rams

The final regular season round of the Young Motors Women’s Cricket League was effectively a preview of this weekend’s upcoming final as Wanderers took the win over Sportsmans at Muir Park.

The two will meet again in this Sunday’s grand final at GBSC but while Wanderers will be very hot favourites, Sporties have done enough this summer to suggest they’re a chance.

But they will have to do better than they did on Sunday at Muir Park when sent in by Wanderers’ Linda Rose, making only 59 off their 20 overs.

Jess Wake (20) played a lone hand showcasing her talent with a determined innings, but the bowlers ruled.

Chelsea Bidwell (3-14) was impressive and had support from Abby Green (2-8) and Sam Biddiscombe (2-9).

Wake was the only batter to get into double figures, with 11 extras providing the next-best contribution to the Wanderers’ scorecard.

The wicket was by no means easy and the bounce surprised many, including Lucinda Gallop in Tia Hatch’s excellent opening spell.

But Charli and Olivia Bidwell accumulated steadily before Charli retired at the drinks break. Olivia fell to Stacey Jerrard, chipping a ball that held up a touch straight to cover.

Layne Gillingham fell for a duck but there weren’t enough runs on the board to ever make the Wanderers camp too nervous as they ended with 6-74.

Green (24) was in fine form until pinned leg before by Tia Hatch (2-6), with Stacey Jerrard (2-11) the next best.

Towns predictably won the other game against Chapman Valley-Northampton at the Rec. The two sides will play off for third on Sunday.

Rams were sent in by Towns’ Michelle McDonald and made 8-39.

Given CVN’s travails, they did well to bat their 20 overs as exemplified by Jess De Silva unbeaten on 1 off 28 balls.

Janelle Phillips (3-1) and Ruth Vorster (3-11) shared most of the spoils.

Towns declared soon after eclipsing the target as there was nothing else to play for.

The best of CVN’s bowlers was Lauren Newman (2-10) in her first game of the season, showing her credentials for country week selection, with teams being officially unveiled on Friday.