Tigers hunt down Modda, procure first women’s premiership

THE Torquay Tigers Women’s First XI have secured a fairytale finish after chasing down Modewarre’s total of 122 in the BWCC C Grade grand final and earning the club’s first ever female premiership.

Led by the backend of their batting line-up with the help of a slew of extras, Torquay managed to tally 123 runs in 17 overs of work with four wickets to spare in what turned out to be a historic final for local women’s cricket in the region.

Torquay and Modewarre set the stage Sunday afternoon at Armstrong Creek East Sports Precinct for what was blockbuster all-Surf Coast grand final with Modewarre taking the bat first.

Modewarre’s opener in Emily Wardeiner fell early following a picturesque bowl from Torquay’s Isabella Dunne, but the second and third listed batters of Brook Pay and captain Chloe Smith steadied the ship for the Warriors combining for 54 runs.

Smith fell to Torquay’s Ashleigh Walpole, before Louise Kahle added 28 runs of her own on the way to a solid total of 122 for Modewarre with the Tigers to bat on the eve of 3pm.

The Tigers began on shaky ground as only one of their first four batters managed double digit run totals.
However, Hayley Pocklington, who sat fifth in the line-up, put up the second highest run total for Torquay on the day compiling 18 before she was run out at 5/78.

Dunne and Walpole were next up in the chase, but it was short-lived as the latter was caught out with just five runs under her belt at 6/90.

Tiahnee McGrath then replaced Walpole with the win in sight.

Both Dunne and McGrath showed tremendous discipline as the pair produced the remaining 33 runs, securing the first women’s premiership for the yellow and black and toppling their cross-shire foes.

“It was such a surreal feeling for us, we didn’t expect to get over the line,” Tigers captain Sarah Boak said post-game.

“I think at one stage during the innings we were 5/66 and it came down to our juniors.

“Their composure was incredible; we were just amazed we were able to get over the line.”

The Torquay captain said the game plan for the side was just to play their own style of cricket and to enjoy the moment for what it is.

“We knew we had the skills to win, and the girls did exactly what they needed to on the day and played their roles to perfection, it still hasn’t sunk in,” Boak added.
The BWCC C Grade, D Grade and E Grade grand finals that took place on Sunday kicked off the beginning of senior finales within the Barwon region for 2021/22.

The A Grade and B Grade grand finals are slated for March 27.