Red-hot Cats begin crucial final month

GEELONG Premier Women’s Firsts will start a crucial final month of the season with a home one-day clash against Essendon Maribyrnong tomorrow (Saturday, January 25).

The Cats currently sit atop the ladder with a 5-1 record and have not lost since November last year, but are not cemented in their position given just three games split first and eighth.

After enjoying a bye last weekend, they will enter the clash with the eighth-placed Bombers as strong favourites.

Despite the contrasting ladder positions, Essendon Maribyrnong Park will enter the clash with some confidence after a high-scoring and valiant loss to Prahran last weekend.

For the Cats, there is plenty of firepower with both bat and ball that will look to lead the charge to the finals.

Mia Rogers and Mia Perrin have made 278 and 249 runs respectively to date, with solid averages of 55.6 and 41.5.

Aanliya Cheeran has taken 12 wickets, including hauls of three in her side’s past two matches.

Opening batter Ella Hayward will be one to watch for the Bombers as she comes off an impressive 116-run effort in the Bombers’ defeat.

Geelong’s Seconds are also in the finals hunt, sitting fourth with clashes against lower-ranked sides to come.

The Thirds are third on the ladder and will also take on multiple sides below them in their run home.