Moama has solidified its spot on top of the Goulburn Murray Cricket Women’s ladder with a convincing win over struggler Cooma.
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The Mowers put together a complete batting display at Moama Recreation Reserve, leaning on a monster knock from captain Delaney Laffy and several supporting innings after being sent in.
Laffy had two major stints at the crease, first retiring on 37 after hitting the balls limit.
Her partnership with Beatrix Bray (25) was particularly impactful, but Cooma did well to keep the rest of the top and middle-order quiet.
Wickets fell throughout the 35 overs and Moama looked as if it may not complete the innings, but late resistance from Lylah Newman and a returning Laffy saw the Mowers through.
Coming together at 9-189, the pair added another 31 to the total, Laffy blasting the ball to all corners to finish with 75 not out from 49, while Newman posted 31 not out from 44.
Heather Munro was Cooma’s best with the ball, taking 3-28, while Jinaya Nurse struck twice.
Moama finished with 9-220, a tall task for Cooma to chase down.
Things started poorly for the visitor, with co-captains Jorja Tranter and Breanna Baker gone without score in the opening overs.
Remaining opener Emma Napier was resolute, but couldn’t make an impact on the scorecard, leaving Sophie McDonald and Nurse to try to steady things.
The two put on the best stand of the innings, adding 35 and getting Cooma past 50, but McDonald’s retirement started another procession of wickets.
Olivia Davy went on a rampage with the ball, taking four wickets in three overs, including the valuable scalp of Nurse.
McDonald (12 not out) quickly found herself back in the middle, but the innings was unsalvageable, and after she ran short of partners Cooma was dismissed for 73.
Davy finished with 4-10 as Moama’s best, while Jordan Dalziel bowled six overs, recording five maidens and finishing with 3-1.
Echuca v Nathalia
Echuca fired past Nathalia by six wickets, thanks to a quality middle-order stand from its leadership pair.
Chasing 94 for victory, Echuca was in trouble after losing 4-12 early before vice-captain Gillian Noelker joined captain Jessica Cox in the middle.
The two did the lion’s share of the remaining work required, Cox retiring on 33 from 35 deliveries, while Noelker hit the balls limit with 20 runs on the board.
It made things easier for Holly (13 not out) and Matilda (4 not out) Smith, the duo picking up where its leaders left off to get Echuca home within 24 overs.
Earlier, Echuca was able to keep the run rate down, holding Nathalia to 7-94 from its 35 overs.
The likes of Jessica Daniel (13), Cody Power (14) and Tracey Brereton (16) all retired not out, but it was speed of scoring that was causing the problems as the overs ticked by.
Echuca’s Amy Cooper was the standout wicket-taker, grabbing 4-13, while there were plenty of efficient performances among her teammates.
Captain Cox bowled seven overs for as many runs, while Sophie McKee posted 1-9 from six overs.
Rochester v Katamatite
Rochester fell narrowly short of victory, Katamatite scraping home with only one wicket in the sheds.
Batting first after winning the toss, Rochy’s top order built a good base for its innings.
Three of the visitor’s top four retired not out at Katamatite Recreation Reserve, Hayley Broucek, Harriet East and Cadence Major each reaching the balls limit.
Broucek (25 not out) was eventually recalled late in the innings, but East (19) and Major (26) set a strong platform with a useful partnership.
However, once the top order saw out its deliveries, the middle order and tail showed far less resistance.
None of the bottom seven reached double figures as the situation quickly worsened from 2-81 to 8-106.
Broucek made a brief return at the end of the innings as Rochester reached 8-110 from its 35 overs.
Alexis Iddles stood out for Katamatite, taking 2-9, while Hayley Hendrie (2-23) and Matilda Iddles (2-28) also took two wickets.
The Katamatite chase started well, the top order putting on 54 before losing its first wicket.
Matilda Iddles kept the scoring moving at about a run a ball before retiring unbeaten, while Christina Roberts’ 17 added to the strong start.
Similarly to the Rochester innings, once the early stands were broken, the dominoes started to fall.
Only the opening pair passed double figures, but Katamatite still inched its way over 100.
With only seven required, the Tigers lost 3-1, putting the game suddenly back in contention as Matilda Iddles returned to the crease to defend the last wicket.
Rochester desperately tried to break the final partnership, but Amy Bye held firm with Iddles and Katamatite got over the line.
In such a close result, Rochy will rue a significant extras disparity, the visitor giving away 18 more free runs than its opposition.
Sarah Taylor (2-5), Hayley Broucek (2-16) and Taya Munro (2-20) stood out with the ball for Rochy, but their side was just short of capturing the win.
The league goes on break this Sunday for the holiday weekend, with action to resume on February 1.