A WHIRLWIND knock by opener Stephenie Balman has kept North’s unbeaten record intact and guaranteed them the minor premiership before the Christmas break after their smashing nearest rivals South by eight wickets.
North knew the stakes were high when they arrived at Norm Fox Oval for their women’s round 8 Barrier District Cricket League T20 contest.
A win would secure them the minor premiership so early in the season, while a loss would give the chasing teams a glimmer of hope.
North co-captain Balman understood there could be no resting on their laurels against the second-placed South.
Winning the toss, North opted to bowl first, eager to hit the ground running.
With Britt Tangey returning from her American holiday, Sophie Milne handed her the new ball.
Tangey’s opening over was impressive, conceding just three runs with some swinging deliveries, a great start to her season.
Jo Smith and Hannah Morris followed suit, bowling with tight lines and not allowing the batters to settle.
Ellie Simmons and Milne maintained the pressure in the subsequent overs, and by the end of the sixth over, South was struggling at 0/24.
The next four overs saw South finding their rhythm, finishing the first drinks break at 0/55 after 10 overs.
North was determined to tighten their bowling in the second half of the innings.
Brooklyn Gibson made a sensational catch off Tangey’s bowling, but it turned out to be a free hit.
However, she quickly redeemed herself by successfully throwing the stumps down causing a run out, bringing the score to 1/57.
Simmons delivered the first maiden of the innings, and South began to falter under the pressure.
Cassie Mac, in her new bowling role, made an impact by taking the edge off Lakisha Sloane, which was safely juggled by Gibson, taking the score to 2/58.
North continued to build momentum, claiming a third wicket soon after drinks with a well-timed catch from captain Milne off Balman’s bowling, leaving South at 3/60 after 13 overs.
The next three overs saw North tightening their grip, preventing South from scoring freely.
In a crucial moment, Hannah Morris showcased her fielding prowess with a brilliant throw from the deep to run out another South batter.
South finished their innings at a respectable 4/93, but the North girls had put in an impressive bowling and fielding performance considering the heat.
With a target in sight, Milne and Balman strode to the crease, already feeling the heat.
South struck early, dismissing Milne with a fantastic catch from Kristala Alexandra off Bronte Johns’ bowling, leaving North in trouble at 1/7.
Tangey came in next and quickly got off the mark with some delightful boundaries, followed by Balman, who hit back-to-back fours to get her innings rolling. However, Bronte Johns claimed her second scalp by clean bowling Tangey for a swift 10.
Cassie Robinson, starting slowly, focused on rotating the strike and allowed Balman, who was in brilliant form, to dominate the scoring. By the 10-over mark, North had reached 2/64, aided by some extra runs from South.
After a well-deserved break, Robinson found her rhythm, hitting four boundaries, while Balman added three to her tally.
North sailed to victory within just 14 overs.
Balman ended not out on 40, while Robinson contributed a solid 26, both looking utterly untroubled at the crease.
With an impressive record of 8-0, North have made a fantastic start to the season.
Cricket action for North returns on February 2 at Norm Fox Oval against West.
Result: South 4/93 ( L McCure 23, H Drenkhahn 18*, S Balman 1/12, C McEvoy 1/14) defeated by North 2/95 ( S Balman 40*, C Robinson 26*, B Johns 2/20).
