West claims title

MILDURA West’s dominant Premier Women’s season was completed in style when they claimed this year’s Sunraysia Cricket Association title.

A 22-run victory for the minor premiers over the combined Coomealla Point unit sealed an outstanding campaign in which they dropped just one game.

West captain Breanna Smith was outstanding with bat and ball, retiring not out for 32 and taking 2/14, while Demi Zanoni (28) and Addison Bell (2/21) also had great performances.

Smith, however, said the entire team earned the result.

“It was definitely a team effort, everyone played well as a unit across the season whether it be with bat, ball or in the field,” she said.

“I think we played as well as we could in the final.”

Point bowler Tatiana Kirirua-Gill (2/17) took the early wickets of Lorianne Lowerson and Tara Martin to leave West at 2/16, before Smith and Zanoni put the hosts back on track.

They finished their 20 overs at 6/111, Eadie Neagle the leading Coomealla Point bowler with 3/10.

“It wasn’t a great start, so Demi and I just made sure we stayed in and kept ticking off the singles,” Smith said.

“I managed to retire at 32 and Demi made 28 so I think that gave us a real boost.”

In response, skipper Katelin Kemp retired not out with 31 again to complete a brilliant season with the bat, but the West bowling unit were able to keep the rest of the batters at bay.

Teoi Kiriua-Gill added 17 at better than a run a ball, but Coomealla Point’s 20 overs were complete with the score at 7/89.

“Dot ball are just as important as wickets when it comes to finals so the fielding really became important,” Smith said.

“Addison bowled a few really great overs and managed to finish it off with some solid bowling, but as a team we couldn’t have asked for more from anyone.”