Sport

'Everyone in the club is really proud’: Echuca causes grand final upset for third flag in four seasons

By Josh Huntly

Feb 12, 2023

Premiers: Echuca are women’s A-grade champions again after a 23-run victory over Shepparton. Photo: Josh Huntly

Echuca can lay claim to a women’s A-grade cricket dynasty after overcoming Shepparton-Youth Club United by 23 runs in the grand final.

Echuca claimed its third flag in four seasons and put Shepparton’s dreams of a maiden premiership on hold with victory in Sunday’s decider at Kyabram Recreation Reserve.

Elation: Echuca players celebrate after the final ball of the game. Photos: Josh Huntly

It’s Echuca’s third premiership, erasing last year’s defeat to Beechworth and re-affirming its status as one of the most successful country women’s sides.

Coming in as underdog against a Shepparton side with just one defeat to its name this season, Echuca will now add the 2022-23 flag to the trophy room alongside its 2019-20 and 2020-21 victories.

Waiting: Echuca skipper Delaney Laffy releases her delivery, with Gill Noelker waiting for a catch.

Delaney Laffy has been a part of all three triumphs, but this was her first as captain of the side after the 18-year-old took the reins from Sharon Henson.

“We’re pretty elated,” Laffy said.

“Everyone in the club is really proud. I think we went into this game a bit nervous not knowing what the outcome would be.”

Smashed: Echuca’s Sharon Henson carves a ball through cover.

Sent in to bat first, Echuca posted 113 runs without losing a wicket.

Openers Henson (25 runs) and Gill Noelker (15) retired not out after reaching their permitted 30 deliveries at the crease before Laffy also retired after her 23-run innings.

Danielle Garden then whacked a valuable 29 to guide Echuca past the 100 mark against Shepparton for the first time in the season.

With the ball, it was the Chloe Moyle show as the young right-arm pace ace ran riot.

Clutch: Chloe Moyle was judged best-on-ground in the grand final after claiming 3-15.

Moyle claimed three of Echuca’s five wickets — two of which were run-outs — from her four overs in what was deemed a player-of-the-match performance, shutting down Shepparton’s run of momentum.

Mel Saunders mounted the fightback for Shepparton with a gallant 30 runs but in the end, there were simply too many runs to track down with United finishing up at 5-90.

Laffy was full of praise for her side and her star bowler.

Champagne moment: Danielle Garden gets the party started after Echuca’s flag victory.

“We’re pretty proud not losing any wickets and going on to score 113, which was good because we haven’t cracked the hundred mark against them all season,” she said.

“We weren’t too nervous going into our bowling innings. We knew we had to work hard but we weren’t too nervous.

“Chloe was amazing. Being so young, she’s developed so much over the last two seasons.

“She totally deserved it, she bowled great line and length all day.”