Moama still GMCW powerhouse

Captain Delaney Laffy was typically motivated at the top of the order, making an unbeaten 36 before retiring, but few of her teammates managed to go with her on this occasion.

Beatrix Bray (18) and Sophie Millar (11) were the only other batters to reach double figures, and Moama declined from a comfortable 3-96 to be all out for 116.

Sophie Stanley and Matilda Iddles were the leading performers for Katamatite with the ball, Stanley posting 3-14, while Iddles took 3-23.

Christina Roberts, Rosie Stokes, Abigail Brooker and Hayley Hendrie also got among the wickets.

With a modest total on the board and the opposition with nine more overs to hunt it down, disciplined line and length was the order of the day for Moama’s bowlers.

Katamatite’s Roberts and Iddles started things well for the visitor, both retiring unbeaten as the total approached 50.

However, with the two in the sheds, the rest of the Tigers found progress much slower, and the run rate slowed to a crawl through the middle order.

In fact, despite some decent stints in the middle, no other batter hit double figures, and as the weight of wickets began to take its toll, Iddles and Roberts were recalled to steady the innings.

Unfortunately for Katamatite, there wasn’t enough time left in the game and, although the visitor batted out the overs, it posted only 8-96, still 20 short of the Moama target.

Laffy bowled an impressive five maidens from seven overs, taking 4-12 to back up her leading batting score, while Jordan Dalziel, Olivia Davy and Isla Laffy also chipped in with wickets.

Moama is almost assured top position on the ladder with two rounds to go and a two-game, and large quotient, margin over the leading chasers.

The Mowers will encounter the bye in the penultimate week on Sunday, giving next best Echuca and Rochester a chance to close the gap.

Katamatite is an outside hope for finals and will host Bamawm-Lockington United in what is effectively a win-or-go-home clash for both clubs.