IN a highly anticipated clash at Alma Oval, the North women showcased their prowess, maintaining their unbeaten run with a commanding victory over West.
West captain Kendra Bugmy won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a challenging target on what looked like a batter-friendly wicket.
Opening the innings were Phoebe Knell and league-leading run scorer Paige Cuy.
The duo started aggressively, with Cuy hitting a boundary off the very first ball.
Despite the North bowlers’ best efforts, West raced to a solid 0/40 in the first seven overs.
However, North then showcased their disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, restricting West’s scoring opportunities.
They only conceded three boundaries in the first twelve overs, and it wasn’t until the 12th over that North managed to claim their first wicket, Knell on 26 caught by Keira Boxsell off the bowling of Ellie Simmons, leaving West at 1/61.
Bugmy joined Paige to the crease, looking to be more aggressive, saw Cuy sky a ball to the safe hands of Simmons off the bowling of Britt Tangey.
West’s middle order struggled to build partnerships, and Sarah Knott fell shortly after, leaving West at 3/87.
West finished their innings at 4/98, thanks to Sophie Milne’s final over LBW.
The North team’s disciplined performance saw them concede only 20 extras and limit West to just seven boundaries throughout the innings.
North opened their innings with Steph Alchin and Steph Balman as West’s bowlers started with some early extras, but Balman fell victim to a straight delivery in the third over, leaving North at 1/16.
Ashleigh Camilleri came in next, and her partnership with Alchin displayed aggressive running and a flurry of boundaries, propelling North to 1/34 after four overs.
West’s Sarah Knott struck again, dismissing Camilleri and leaving North at 2/34.
Milla Attard entered the attack and made her presence felt, bowling out Alchin for a well-played 20.
The pressure mounted as Jess Musgrove was run out shortly after, leaving North at 4/59. As the innings progressed, North found themselves in a precarious position at 6/76, with only four wickets in hand and nine overs remaining.
Yet, the partnership between siblings Cassie Robinson and Stevie Hack proved to be the turning point.
With excellent communication and strategic shot selection, they steadied the innings.
The combined power hitting with clever running, leading North to a comfortable victory in the 13th over, finishing with seven wickets down.
West now prepares to face South in the upcoming semi-final and there’s eyes on North as they aim for two perfect seasons in a row.
West 4/98 ( P Knell 26, P Cuy 25, E Simmons 1/12, B Tangey 1/13) defeated by North 6/99 ( S Alchin 20, C Robinson 15*, M Attard 2/18, S Knott 2/32)
