IN a gripping round 5 encounter at Norm Fox Oval, the Bulldogs faced off against the Roos under challenging conditions.
The heavens opened up just before the match got under way, resulting in a 15 minute delay as players and spectators braved the elements.
But the rain didn’t dampen the Bulldogs’ spirits as they won the toss and opted to bowl first, ready to make their mark on the game.
Opening the bowling were the dynamic duo of Hannah Morris and Keira Boxsell.
Morris was eager to showcase her skills, started strong with only two runs conceded in her first over.
Boxsell quickly followed suit, putting pressure on the South batting line-up and creating a run-out opportunity that led to the first wicket as Stephanie Alchin lolli-popped the ball to Brooklyn Gibson, who made no mistake and whipped off the bails.
South’s Kristala Alexandrou attempted to stabilise her side, striking a few early runs. However, the ever-alert Gibson showcased her lightning-fast reflexes, stumping Alexandrou and leaving South reeling at 2/12 after just four overs.
As South sought to regroup, Alice Edmondson and Abbey Johns began to rotate the strike effectively, capitalising on some early lapses in the North fielding.
North captain Steph Balman knew a breakthrough was crucial and brought herself into the attack. Her strategy paid off immediately as Johns fell to a sharp catch by Courtney Garnaut at short cover.
Morgan Boylan then joined the bowling ranks, securing her first wicket of the season, with a catch going to the reliable hands of Balman.
At the drinks break South found themselves at 4/40 after 10 overs and North recognised the need to tighten their bowling discipline after conceding 25 extras.
The players flicked the switch post-drinks with Boxsell and Balman delivering two maidens in the next five overs, stifling South’s scoring.
Morris continued from the other end claiming another wicket as she caught the edge, with Gibson once again showing her skill behind the stumps.
With South at 6/61 and only three overs remaining, North finished off strong restricting South to just four more runs to end the innings on 6/65.
Chasing down the low total, North knew they had the talent to secure a comfortable victory.
Gibson and Garnaut opened the batting, with Gibson not wasting any time, smashing 13 runs off the first over. However, Garnaut had a disappointing outing, bowled for a golden duck.
Boylan came in swinging hard from the get-go, but her aggressive approach saw her dismissed for three runs off nine balls, leaving North at 2/25.
Balman then joined Gibson at the crease and together they showcased their batting prowess, hitting South to all corners of Norm Fox. The pair scored an impressive 43 runs off the next 24 balls demonstrating North’s dominance.
The Bulldogs secured a convincing eight-wicket victory.
