A last over thriller in the last round of the Katherine Raymont Shield has set up the prospect of an enthralling Women's Finals series in the KFC Queensland Premier Cricket competition. LAURA SCHEIWE recaps all the action from last weekend.
Thriller Decides Finals
A finish like no other. The final round of the Katherine Raymont Shield wais one few could have predicted. A must-win match for both University of Queensland and Sunshine Coast ended in heartbreak for one team with the other games finishing in one sided fashion.
The wash-up from the weekend was that the three finals positions have been locked in with UQ taking on Western Suburbs next Sunday at WEP Harris Oval. The winner will take oi Sandgate-Redliffe Gators on the 9th of March at Allan Border Field.
In an absolute thriller between University of Queensland and Sunshine Coast, the match made it all the way to the last over.
The Bookworms won the toss and elected to bat, and although nobody had an outstanding knock, there were many contributions.
Nicola Hancock's backend 36* (46) and Taylor Stumer's 33 (56) helped UQ reach the milestone of 200 off their 50 overs.
A strong-look Sunshine Coast outfit included pace bowlers Catherine White (2/34 off 10), Bonnie Berry (2/39 off 9), and Lucy Hamiltion (0/22 off 6) coming off Queensland Fire duties.
The second innings could not have been predicted. A strong start again by the Scorchers included Rachel Priest's 39 (56) and a contribution of 29 (43) from Georgie Boyce.
Sunshine Coast looked on track throughout the majority of this innings as Queensland Fire batter Mikayla Wrigley struck 93* off 143, although the wicketkeeper could not keep a batting partner as they whitled away at the asking target. All but one batter made it past double digits following the number four position.
Having bowled out 4 front line bowlers, the Bookworms had no choice but to bring a new bowler for the 50th over, Anlo Van Deventer. The former capatain of the Central Highlands (New Zealand Domestic Cricket) had not bowled a single over this season.
Needing just 3 runs to win the match and two wickets remaining, Sunshine Coast looked in a promising position. The first ball of the over involved a direct hit run out followed by three dots, with Wrigley stranded at the non-striker's end.
A thick edge from the number 11 batter went into the big hand of Lucy Williams taking a superb catch. University of Queensland won by just two runs securing a semi finals position.
Western Suburbs took on Wynnum-Manly in must win fixture for the Bulldogs. Wynnum elected to bat first on Jack McLaughlin Oval and struggled to take off. Survivng 35 overs, the Sea Eagles scrambled to 10/90 against a full-strength Wests side which featured five Queensland Fire players and an English professional. Two wickets each were awarded to Hamilton, Stafford, and Lutvey.
With ease Western Suburbs reached the total in the 17th over led by Georgia Redmayne with 59* off 51 deliveries. The outstanding performance from the Bulldogs pushed the team into third position on the ladder and a finals birth.
Valleys DCC travelled south to the Gold Coast for their final match of the summer. Batting first, the Dolphins started slowly before english import Rebecca Duckworth came to the crease.
The Yorkshire batter smashed an unbeaten 90* off 130 deliveries. The effort was supported by Jamie-Lee Strang (31* off 44) and Ava Lee (21 off 45) as the Dolphins made a total of 6/191.
However Valley made light work was made of the target as Lucy Bourke (89*) and Sianna Ginger (81*) could not be beaten. The target was chased quickly in the 32nd over with 9 wickets remaining.