Echuca celebrates its opening wicket. Photos: Matthew Kappos
Echuca is rounding into form at the right time, stringing together a third consecutive win and surging into the top two in the Goulburn Murray Cricket Women’s competition.
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Meanwhile, Bamawm-Lockington United will need to fight for its finals future over the remaining fortnight after falling by 146 runs at Tongala Recreation Reserve.
Liz Chapman sets to get it around the corner.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
The Lions won the toss and elected to send the opposition in, but Echuca got off to a flyer after composed batting from the top order.
Preserving wickets was the name of the game for openers Gillian Noelker (25) and Kate Carlile (9) and the pair retired unbeaten after hitting the 35-ball limit.
Zoe Cook’s bowling stood out for Echuca as she took three wickets.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Sophie Good and Jessica Cox took up the cause and got the total beyond 100, a ballooning extra count providing the assist as Echuca reached 110 before Good was the first batter to be dismissed, making 12.
Cox was in an attacking mood and made a quick 36 from 28 before also retiring, while down the order Sharon Henson also timed out making 30 before retirement.
Amy Fitzgerald checks if there’s a run in it.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
All up, while 10 Echuca batters took their shot in the middle, only four wickets fell and the host posted 199 in its 35 overs, a daunting total for the Lions to run down.
What wickets were on offer were shared among the BLU attack, Emma Beal, Amy Fitzerald and Ruby Brentall taking one each.
Sophie Good earned her best figures of the season with three wickets.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
The run chase never found its legs, as wickets tumbled early and often.
Liz Chapman provided some resistance at the top, making an unbeaten 14 before retiring, but a devastating period saw the Lions lose most of their middle order in a 3-2 run, and it was only a matter of time from there.
Bree Styles checks her mark.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Echuca closed out the game in a little more than 15 overs, BLU putting 53 on the scoreboard.
Zoe Cook was the standout with the ball, claiming an efficient 3-5 in two overs, while Sophie Good (3-11) also grabbed three wickets.
Fiona Byrnes is pumped up after a slips grab.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Sophie McKee finished 2-12, while Lucinda McMaster-Sharrock rounded out the wicket takers with 1-7.
Echuca hosts Cooma on Sunday, while BLU will be desperate for points in its visit to Katamatite.
Sophie McKee delivers at pace.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos