A STELLAR performance from Sophie Milne with both bat and ball has guided North a comfortable eight-wicket victory against West Robins at Zinc Oval in round 6 of the women’s Barrier District Cricket League.
Played in in humid conditions, West Robins were looking to secure back-to-back victories and after winning the toss elected to bat.
Star pairing of Paige Cuy and Phoebe Knell, who had made headlines with a remarkable partnership in their previous outing, skied a few shots in the first over, which narrowly evaded fielders. However, it was the last ball of the first over that drew first blood – a well-handled catch by Stevie Hack behind the stumps which sent Knell packing off the bowling of Ellie Simmons.
This brought the dangerous Kendra Bugmy to the crease, but North’s bowlers, Morgan Boylan and Steph Balman, quickly applied pressure, leaving West struggling.
Sophie Milne continued her great form, sending down a sensation ball, sending Bugmy’s stumps flying and reducing West to 2/13 after just four overs.
With West’s innings in peril, Cuy and Sarah Knott stepped up to stabilise the innings, accumulating singles and boundaries to push the score to 2/62 after 10 overs.
Despite North’s strong fielding, the ball seemed to evade their grasp at crucial moments.
After the drinks break, North’s bowlers tightened their grip, allowing only 22 runs in the next five overs.
Debutant Mak Victory impressed with her bowling, maintaining a low run rate and showcasing her potential.
Unfortunately for West, Knott had to retire hurt after 15 overs, leaving them at 2/84.
Cuy, undeterred, continued to anchor the innings and reached her half-century, a standout performance for the West lineup.
Balman, making her presence felt with a caught and bowled, left West at 3/97.
West concluded their innings at 3/102 with North’s bowlers and fielders deserving credit for restricting the runs in the final 10 overs.Chasing a modest total, Milne and Hannah Morris opened for North.
The pair quickly settled into their rhythm, with North reaching 0/30 after five overs.
Both players looked comfortable, striking the ball well. However, Hannah’s promising innings came to an end as she was bowled for an impressive 17, leaving North at 1/60 after 8.2 overs.
Jess Musgrove, coming in at number three, marked her first run in the blue and white off her third delivery.
With Milne maintaining the flow of runs, North reached 1/66 at the drinks break. Unfortunately, after the break, Jess fell for three, leaving North at 2/73.
Milne, however had other plans.
She unleashed a series of elegant cricket shots, hitting five boundaries in just three overs.
A six brought up her 50, and with only one run needed for victory, she expertly rotated the strike to secure a comfortable win for North, finishing not out at 51.
This match highlighted North’s depth, showcasing their ability to chase totals without relying solely on their big guns.
Special mention goes to Mak Victory, who impressed in her first game, and Jess Musgrove, who celebrated her first runs in the blue and white.
With two more games before the Christmas break, North is determined to keep the momentum going as they face Central on Sunday at 10am at the Zinc Oval.
Result: West 3/102 (P Cuy 54*, S Balman 1/9, E Simmons 1/11) lost to North 2/103 ( S Milne 52*, H Morris 17, S Knott 1/11)
