IN a clash that felt like a grand final preview, North maintained their undefeated streak against South in a thrilling encounter at Jubilee Oval.
Upon winning the toss, South’s captain made the bold decision to bat first against North’s formidable bowling and fielding unit.
Opening the innings were Abbey Johns and big-hitting Abbey Stevens. Britt Tangey struck with her very first delivery, clean bowling Stevens, who surprisingly left a ball on middle stump.
The pressure mounted when Keira Boxsell displayed her exceptional fielding skills, executing a brilliant run-out with her opposite hand after a mix-up between the South batsmen.
Steph Wylie attempted to change the tide with a quick-fire 22 runs, making good use of the short boundaries before skying one to Steph Balman at slips.
Two balls later, Boxsell struck again, dismissing Grace Faulkner for a duck and leaving South reeling at 4/32.
Morgan Boylan continued the onslaught, clean bowling Johns.
The relentless pressure from North saw South crash to 6/36 after just seven overs.
Ellie Simmons capped off a devastating spell for South, sneaking one under the bat of Heidi Drenkhan to send the stumps flying.
The second half of the innings saw no reprieve for South, as Tangey struck again with a wicket off the first ball of her over.
Ellie Simmons wrapped up the innings with a double-wicket maiden, bowling South out for a paltry 57 runs in just 13 overs.
Chasing a modest total an after seven overs, North found themselves struggling at 5/20, leaving South firmly in control.
What followed was an inspiring partnership between captain Sophie Milne and Boylan.
South 10/57 ( E Simmons 3/17, B Tangey 2/5, M Boylan 2/9, S Wylie 22 ) defeated by North 5/58 ( S Milne 30*, M Boylan 9*, B Johns 2/11)
