Geraldton women’s cricket round 6: Meg Spalding century gives Wanderers a comfortable win

Meg Spalding scored a brilliant century for Wanderers to light up last Sunday’s Young Motors Women’s Cricket League. Her unbeaten 103 needed only 64 balls with 15 fours and two sixes, and it was her club’s first 100, although Olivia Bidwell was close two years ago with 97. Spalding opened with her side chasing Towns’ 7-77 at the Rec, a target eclipsed in only the 10th over while she and Bidwell (32) were batting. They added a club record 125 for the second wicket and Wanderers finished at 2-168. “When opening you need to get yourself set so I made sure I was hitting straight and had a feel for how the pitch was playing and could then play attacking shots,” Spalding said. “It was amazing to have great support at the other end from Ashlyn (Thompson), Kym (Trenfield) and Olivia (Bidwell). We weren’t under stress as our bowlers set us up with Kasey (Maynard) taking four wickets.” Spalding has been selected for WA Country four times and will soon be playing at the nationals in Newcastle, NSW. “I played for WA in the under-19 Australian championships last December in Perth and my ambition is to play for WA at the highest level,” she said. “I also have the option of moving to England and playing County cricket thanks to my Mum’s dual citizenship.” Towns fought hard but were outshone though Dirranie Kirby (25) and Sarah McKay (15) put on 48 against the competition’s best attack. Maynard (4-13) had career-best figures and Layne Gillingham (2-7) bowled well. At Muir Park, Sportsmans hit 3-114 aganist Chapman Valley-Northampton after Jo Walker won the toss and batted. Sarah Prickett (43 not out), Isabelle MacPherson (26) and Stacey McCartney (18 not out) made runs. Chloe Phillips (2-25) took early wickets. CVN limped to 8-47 in the reply as opener Kate Clarkson (27) survived until the 17th over. Ruby MacPherson (3-15) recorded her first three-wicket haul and Walker (2-5) found a way past Clarkson’s bat to claim her prize wicket.