A maiden Goulburn Murray Cricket women’s A-grade title was snatched away from Shepparton United’s grasp at the weekend as Echuca sealed its third premiership in four seasons.
The powerhouse women’s cricket outfit had all the answers on Sunday as it posted a commanding 113 from 20 overs and restricted United — led by young gun Chloe Moyle (3-15) — to 5-90 from its allotted overs.
In blustery conditions at Kyabram Recreation Reserve, United opted to bowl first as it hoped to pile the early pressure on Echuca.
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On the attack: Shepparton United's Christina Roberts. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 2 of 10
Winding up: Shepparton United's Cathy Dervish. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 3 of 10
Whack: Echuca’s Danielle Garden. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 4 of 10
All smiles: Echuca's Delaney Laffy. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 5 of 10
Big effort: Shepparton United's Christina Roberts. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 6 of 10
Eyes up: Shepparton United's Mel Saunders. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 7 of 10
On the back foot: Shepparton United's Raechel Gardiner. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 8 of 10
Close but no cigar: Echuca's Delaney Laffy. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 9 of 10
Charging in: Shepparton United's Dinesha Patabandige. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 10 of 10
Whack: Echuca’s Danielle Garden. Photo by Aydin PayneBut last year’s runner-up had other ideas.
Premiership players Sarah Henson (25 retired not-out) and Gillian Noelker (15 retired not-out) got Echuca off to the perfect start.
Echuca captain Delaney Laffy anchored the innings with 23 retired not-out while Danielle Garden made an exciting cameo with 29 not-out.
Shepparton United was left to stew over a couple of dropped catches as Echuca went on to post the third highest score of the season.
In reply it was Lia Beecroft and Christina Roberts who were tasked with laying down the foundations for United’s run chase but the duo was unable to score quickly enough to put the pressure back on Echuca.
Mel Saunders went down fighting with a brilliant 30 retired not-out while Raechel Gardiner chipped in with 13 runs.
United coach Steve Williams was proud of his outfit after a stellar season, as he conceded they came up against a better opponent on the day.
“The girls did a super job to make it and they got close but it wasn’t enough unfortunately,” he said.
“We needed to be 50 runs after 10 to give ourselves a chance really.
“Previously we got away to flyers ... but we couldn’t quite do that today but credit to Echuca, they bowled and fielded well.
“We didn’t take three or four opportunities that they gave us and it proved very, very costly.”
Although the result didn’t go the way Williams and co would have wanted, the local Cricket Shepparton outfit has done a mountain of work already trying to develop and promote women’s cricket in the region.
“We want to grow women’s cricket,” Williams said.
“We want Waaia to field a team and hopefully Karramomus can pull a team together to get a side up. Although it wasn’t the result we were after at least we’ve got the ball rolling for women’s cricket in Shepparton. That’s the important thing.”
THE GAME
Echuca 113 (Danielle Garden 29 not-out, Sarah Henson 25 not-out, Delaney Laffy 23 not-out) def Shepparton United 5-90 (Mel Saunders 30, Raechel Gardiner 13, Christina Roberts 11, Chloe Moyle 3-15)