Geraldton women’s cricket season review: Grand final rematch set between Wanderers and Sportsmans

Three qualifying games remain in the Young Motors Women’s Cricket league and with play in recess, it’s time for a review.

While the season is still under way with games left to play, teams will be on break until February.

The grand final match-up has already been decided with Wanderers taking on Sportsmans for another year, but there is still plenty left for teams to play for in the back half of their campaigns.

WANDERERS (7W/1T/1L)

On track for a premiership hat-trick. Their only loss was when two players short against Sportsmans and there was a tie against Chapman Valley-Northampton when they again fielded nine players.

Meg Spalding (257 runs at 64.25), captain Olivia Bidwell (226/28.25) and Charli Bidwell (168/24.00) lead their batting while Abby Green and Ashlyn Thompson are also handy.

Layne Gillingham has made progress and has the most wickets (10 at 7.20) with Thompson (9/10.11), Kasey Maynard (8/15.62) and Olivia Bidwell (6/19.83) having an impact.

Highlight: Spalding’s 103 not out against Towns.

SPORTSMANS (7W/2L)

Will meet Wanderers in the grand final but need to be at their best to win it.

Belinda Burrows (262 runs at 52.40) has been superb. Her haul includes innings of 63, 34 and 47 not out against Wanderers. Next best is another improver, Jess Wake (149/29.80) and Sarah Prickett (111/27.75).

Captain Jo Walker has the most wickets (14 at 3.42) followed by Ruby MacPherson (9/12.77) and Isabelle MacPherson (8/15.50). Hopefully all-rounder Tia Hatch will be available again.

Highlight: Burrows’ amazing development. In her first 16 innings she made 101 runs at 7.21 and in her next 16, 445 runs at 40.45.

CHAPMAN VALLEY-NORTHAMPTON (2W/1T/6L)

Never in the running for the grand final but some pleasing signs.

Kylie Bremner tops the run scoring (283 at 40.42) with Kate Clarkson and Charlene Miller way behind her on 82 and 76 runs apiece.

Bremner also has 14 wickets at 7.42 while daughter Chloe Phillips (14/10.92) has also shone. Kiara Hutchinson (7/20.00) and Tarni Screaigh (6/22.66), co-captain with Jess Wilson, have had moments.

Highlight: A tie against Wanderers. Yes, Wanderers fielded only nine players but did have Green, Charli Bidwell, Thompson, Gillingham, Linda Rose and Maynard so not a pushover.

TOWNS (1W/8L)

A long season for Towns but captain Ruth Vorster expected that. A work in progress.

The star has been Dirranie Kirby (227 runs at 28.37 and 10 wickets at 13.60).

Next best with the bat is Vorster (77/9.62) while with the ball Haylee Coker (7/17.42) and Indiana Burns (5/29.60) have shown promise.

Highlight: Their win against CVN in the first club-level women’s night game. The key moment was when Vorster dismissed Bremner, her first wicket of the season which cost 182 runs. She does have, it should be said, 45 career wickets so a drought was as mystifying for supporters as it was frustrating for Vorster.