General News
12 March, 2021
Pelicans claim inaugural women’s flag
PREMIERSHIP winning Bookaar skipper Heidi Stansfield admits there was a range of emotions within her group after it claimed the inaugural Colac and District Cricket Association Youth Women’s premiership last Sunday.
PREMIERSHIP winning Bookaar skipper Heidi Stansfield admits there was a range of emotions within her group after it claimed the inaugural Colac and District Cricket Association Youth Women’s premiership last Sunday.
The Pelicans upstaged top side Pomborneit in a thriller at the Bulls home ground, winning the contest by five runs with a wicket on the last ball.
Stansfield credited a strong bowling performance as the catalyst for victory, with the Pelicans defending 8/101 in the 20 over contest.
“I think there was a bit of disbelief but also excitement that we beat Pomborneit,” she said.
“I think the reason we won was because we bowled so tight all day.
“We only bowled seven extras in the grand final which is definitely a good effort because Pomborneit have a good batting side.”
The Pelicans batted first and were 1/9 after three overs before Tracey Baker (14) and Taylah Casson combined.
The pair put on 33 for the second wicket, with Casson powering on as wickets continued to fall around her.
She eventually retired at 30 not out, but when the Pelicans fell to 7/83 she returned to the crease.
Alongside Erin Hassett (nine not out), Casson added another 18 runs to the score before she was the last wicket to be dismissed for a well constructed 45.
Remeny McCann (2/13) and Grace Lee (2/17) best served the Bulls with the ball, while team-mates Sam LaFranchi (1/11) and Jess Moulden (1/16) also took wickets.
In reply, Moulden got the Bulls off to a fast start, making 30 off 24 balls before she retired, with Pomborneit 0/36 as she left the field.
Her retirement was a turning point for Bookaar, with the Pelicans applying the screws and claiming three quick wickets to bring the Bulls back to 3/46.
Pomborneit then steadied through another retired knock of 30 from Mary Place but her retirement triggered another collapse for the host side.
The Bulls lost 2/17 from the next 23 balls to require a maximum off the final ball.
But the Pelicans held its nerve, with Brodie Humphrey (2/17) claiming a wicket on the final delivery to hand Bookaar a stunning five run win.
Stansfield praised Player of the Match Casson for her efforts as well as her bowling unit.
“Taylah Casson was definitely one but Georgia Dalton’s and Brodie Humphrey’s contributions with the ball were also significant enough to win the final,” she said.
“But I think everyone played their role in the end especially with the ball.
“Our fielding was also the best its been in that grand final.”
With the dust still settling on its achievement, Stansfield said the premiership would be one the Pelicans bask in given the significance of fielding a women’s side this year.
“It means a lot because we’re in our first year and it’s the first time the club has had a women’s team (play a proper season),” she said.
“That’s a victory in itself, getting a women’s side together let alone winning a premiership in the first season.
“All the girls were really excited but the best thing about it was how far the group has come this year.
“No one really knew each other at the start of the year but now we’re like a little family. Everyone was stoked when we won the grand final.”