Women’s cricket heating up

SUNRAYSIA Women’s Division cricket is settling into the groove after four rounds and an intriguing round 5 awaits on Friday night.

Merbein sit on top of the table with three wins in three matches, while Mildura West in third are also undefeated from their two games, and Gol Gol are in second with two wins and a loss.

The Magpies face an important clash with Coomealla Wentworth at Chaffey Park.

For the home side, Amy Cupper is coming off a 40 retired against Nichols Point Green last week, while Laylee Trinick – who is also plying her trade with West Torrens in the SACA women’s competition – is also in the top 10 for runs after her 26.

In the Blues’ two completed games this season, reigning joint Women’s MVP Katelin Kemp has made a brilliant start, reaching the 40 retired threshold on both occasions.

Tauta Rangiuria also has 54 runs at the same average after two games.

West and Gol Gol will collide for a potential top-two position at John Hall Oval.

Tara Martin led the batting for reigning premiers West in last week’s win over Mildura Settlers with 41 retired, while captain Breanna Smith and Demi Zanoni are also dangerous prospects with bat in hand.

Sisters Abby and Megan Collihole have been superb for Gol Gol, sitting second and third respectively in the top run scorers, trailing only Setters’ Shania McKinnon on 125.

Meagan Collihole is also the leading wicket taker in the competition with six.

A Nichols Point derby is also on the cards as the club’s Green and Gold sides go head to head.

Green are yet to get off the mark, while the Gold side have a 1-1 win-loss record with a no result thrown in.

Captain Gypsy Gange has been leading the charge for the Green side side with the ball, taking five wickets for the campaign. Sherri Hamence is tied for second with five scalps.

Alina Kirirua-Gill is an emerging talent for Gold and showed her skill with 44 against Mildura East, while Eadie Neagle also scored 35.

Irymple are also looking to get off the mark when they face Mildura East at Henshilwood Reserve.

Maya McGregor is joint second for the competition wicket taking with five scalps, and had a standout bat against Point Gold two weeks ago with a well-crafted 25.

Caitlin Finch has been leading the run scoring for East with 57, including an important 48 not out against ladder leaders Merbein a few weeks ago.

Finch has four wickets for the season, as does Taya Higgins.

Mildura Settlers, who lost their first match of the season to West last week, have the bye.