Goulburn Murray women’s cricket has farewelled the 2023-24 regular season, and finals fever is coming.
Despite the determination of finals places well in advance, Sunday’s fixtures had plenty of intrigue as Mooroopna sought perfection in its debut campaign.
The Cats travelled to bottom-placed Cooma and put a triple-figure score on the board for the seventh time in their 10 games, maintaining the best offensive record in the league.
Amani Issell’s unbeaten 32 (three fours, one six) took the contest away from the home side, and she followed up with a handy two-over spell that yielded 2-3 on the other side as the Cats sealed a perfect regular season record.
With Shepparton United sitting third and observing a final-round bye, the meeting between fourth-placed Nagambie and fifth-placed Katamatite took on supreme importance in the context of finals.
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Doing the work: Katamatite's Katrina Chapman. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 10
Over it goes: Nagambie's Sandy Ezard. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 10
Getting down the other end: Katamatite's Alexis Iddles. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 10
Slick hands: Nagambie's Evie Merrifield. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 10
Down low: Nagambie's Shelley Houston. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 10
On its way down: Nagambie's Sarah Villinger. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 10
Contemplation: Katamatite's Jessica Bennett. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 10
Aiming down the line: Nagambie's Shae Merrifield. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 10
Hot stepping: Katamatite's Sophie Stanley. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 10
Flick it around: Nagambie's Amber Langham. Photo by Rechelle ZammitLakers captain Kait Carracher took the game to task as she has so many times, walloping her way to 31 not out (five fours, one six) as some wayward bowling compensated for Nagambie’s struggles with the bat.
Carracher made sure her impact was felt on both sides of the game as well, removing Matilda Iddles and the dangerous Katrina Chapman during Katamatite’s faltering reply.
Despite two extras in the last over, the Lakers did just enough to clutch a five-run win, snatch third and a home final against United.
Katamatite wound up fifth, and will host Kyabram in the other elimination final.
Echuca Green’s result was much more straightforward with less on the line, knowing it would take a miracle in Cooma for any chance of nabbing top spot.
Nonetheless, Echuca Green set about ending Bamawm-Lockington United’s season on a sour note as skipper Jessica Cox mashed through the innings with 39 (seven fours, one six) in a damaging showcase.
Chloe Moyle has regularly slowed opponents to a crawl with the ball and took her chance again, opening BLU’s chase with a double-wicket maiden en route to a breezy 78-run victory and a qualifying final berth against Mooroopna.
Round out the finals picture was Kyabram, who had virtually no chance of progressing beyond sixth spot heading into a meeting with eliminated local rivals Rochester.
Rochester received tremendous assistance in posting 4-99, with an astonishing 28 runs credited to wides before Penny Mason steered the ship with aplomb in Kyabram’s chase, coming in with the Redbacks struggling at 4-21.
Her fast and furious 41 (six fours) at least fired a warning shot to Katamatite ahead of next weekend’s elimination final, as Kyabram eased home with four overs to spare.
This weekend will welcome finals to the fore, and Goulburn Murray Cricket will take the local spotlight with the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield and Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League out of the way.
Mooroopna welcomes Echuca Green for a monster qualifying final as sides take their last chances to host fixtures.
Nagambie will take on Shepparton United in the major elimination final, while the Tigers and Redbacks will collide at Katamatite Recreation Reserve in the minor elimination final.
All games are slated to commence at 11am on Sunday, January 28.