Spring Creek hosts first Torquay women’s derby

Torquay Black ended up taking a nine-wicket victory over Torquay Gold.

Torquay Black’s Mikaela Monahan carried her bat through the innings for the second week in a row, scoring 28 to go with her 40 in the opening round.

There were positives for Torquay Gold, with Danielle Johnson and Hayley Pocklington 59 run partnership ensuring keeping their side in the game. But Torquay Black were eventually able to chase down the target of 80 that had been set for them in just 10 overs.

After having had a bye in the first round, Ocean Grove got off to an impressive start with massive win over Leopold.

Ocean Grove’s top order was dominant, with all their top five retiring not out having made their contributions.

They finished 2/187 before dismissing Leopold for just 33.

While all the Ocean Grove bowlers excelled, Bernadette Giblins was particularly impressive, taking 4/2.

Ocean Grove club president Johnnie Giuffrida said it was exciting to have the team start playing after all the preparation that had been done to ensure they could field a side.

“With a lot of canvassing around the women’s football club at Ocean Grove and other things, we were able to get a good level of interest.”

Giuffrida said having a senior women’s team would be great for the players in the club’s two junior girls teams.

“What we had found was that once the girls finished their junior cricket there was nowhere else for them to go, so they were either lost to cricket or left Ocean Grove altogether.

“That was one of the drivers: that we keep the girls around the club and they’ll become part of the club, and the club can only get better and stronger for that. ”

Along with Ocean Grove and Torquay Black, St Joseph’s remains unbeaten having taken a nine-wicket victory over East Belmont Razz.

St Joseph’s had six different wicket-takers as they bowled their opposition out for just 48.

Having lost out to Torquay Black by the narrowest of margins in the opening round, East Belmont Deb were able to change their fortunes as they defeated Portarlington.

Portarlington set a competitive target of 110.

But East Belmont Deb’s opening batters Rebecca Farey and Rebecca Hickey made it look relatively small.

They both passed 40 before retiring not out, with East Belmont Deb finishing their 20 overs 1/142.