By Bryce Edwards
Wandin Women’s vs Kilsyth
On the high of last week’s win against Mooroolbark, Wandin’s women’s cricket team was excited to go into round 2 facing previous B-grade team Kilsyth.
Wandin knew it was going to be a challenging game but were ready to give it their all.
The weather had held off at Pinks Reserve and both teams were ready for an exciting game of cricket.
Captain Olivia Edwards won the toss and elected to bat.
Wandin were off to a slower-than-usual start, but they did not let it define their batting innings. With good communication and hard work between the wickets, Wandin finished with a total of 85 runs.
Jess Trembath opened the batting and held her wicket very well for the team, sticking it out to the 15th over. Other opener Charlotte Edwards made 19 to then be dismissed after absolutely smoking it back to the bowler and getting caught out by an amazing catch. Belinda Cuddon played some crafty shots and made a handy 6 runs.
Skipper Olivia Edwards came in at 6 and batted beautifully making a very handy 24 off 26 lifting the teams’ spirits up to go out and defend a total of 85.
Wandin knew it was going to be a big challenge to defend the score as they usually make scores in the 100s but the women’s team has been working very hard on their bowling and fielding and knew they could do it.
The field was set, Gayle Burgi was ready behind the stumps and Wandin was ready.
Olivia Edwards had the new pill and first ball, wicket! Olivia had clean-bowled their opening batsmen on the first delivery of the innings. What a way to start!
The energy was high Wandin knew this challenge was definitely within reach.
Emma Curwood took the ball next and balled a tidy over to really put the pressure on Kilsyth’s batters. They had 86 runs to make but Wandin had nothing to lose.
Runs began to slow down and pressure was building more and more.
Charlotte Edwards bowled stump to stump and ended her spell on 2-18 off 4.
First gamers Niina Lazarus and Alannah Peet proved that they were a very important key the the team after their amazing bowling, making it very hard for Kilsyth to score.
Charlotte Edwards gave the ball back to skipper Olivia Edwards to bowl the last over of the game.
Kilsyth needed 2 runs off 6 balls and the pressure was on.
With the first two dot balls of the over 2 off 4 was needed for Kilsyth.
A flukey leg bye slipped away and the scores were even, Wandin gave everything in themselves to keep the scores level.
1 run off 3 balls left, Edwards bowled another scary dot bowl.
1 off 2, and it was another wicket!
Edwards cleanly took the stumps out sending a fresh batter in to face the last ball.
1 run off 1 ball was needed.
Wandin were ready for the drop and run so the field was brought in, the energy was high from Wandin and everyone was ready.
Edwards bowled perfectly and as predictable we saw a drop and run, straight to Dionne Wilson.
Wilson fiercely attacked the ball, effortlessly picked it up and took the bails off.
Dionne defended the draw with an amazing runout.
Wandin were so proud of the draw, after producing a smaller total with the bat Wandin’s pressure with the ball and attack in the field was what kept the game to a draw.
It was amazing day for Wandins women and was something to be proud of.
Keeping a former B-grade team to 85 runs was an amazing accomplishment
Wandin 1st XI 10/144 (39.3 overs) were defeated by North Ringwood 7/148 (35.1)
Wandin top scorer: James Oakley with 27
Best bowling figures: Leigh Curwood 4/28 off 8 overs.
Wandin 2nd XI v Kilsyth 3rd XI
Wandin would travel to Kilsyth, lose the toss and be sent into bat, the first twenty overs would be evenly poised at 3/74, but with two quick wickets after the break, Kilsyth would be happy with the state of play.
With a quick-fire 60-run partnership between Galvin and Kogleman, Wandin would set a reasonable total of 10/172.
J Smith 4/20 was the pick of the Kilsyth bowlers.
Galvin 43 and Painter 35 would top score for the visitors.
A steady start from the Kilsyth openers saw the score on 48 before a Jackson Kneebone double strike would give Wandin some belief, with M Watson 80 controlling one end through most of the innings which nullified some good bowling from Wandin and led his side to a 4 wicket win with 5 overs to spare
Jackson Kneebone 3/39 and J Galvin 2/19 would be the wicket-takers.
Wandin 3rd XI vs Chirnside Park
Chirnside Park got off to a great start as Wandin could only field nine players, only losing their first wicket at 136 after 30 overs.
Chirnside Park finished with 3/168 after a great effort by Wandin to contain them.
Jack Dowthwaite took 2/22 off seven overs and Blake Chrisfield 1/24 off seven overs.
Going in to bat, Wandin was a chance.
However, falling to 4/35 after 13 overs made things hard.
From there, they then fell to 6/37 off 19 overs.
Wandin planned to keep Chirnside Park out in the field and not get bowled out, finishing 6/81. Great effort all day from the team.
Jack Dowthwaite 17 not out and Matthew Owens 22 not out were the best batters for Wandin.
A great effort from Jack Dowthwaite with the ball and bat.
