Seagulls leader in hot form ahead of final series

NEW Barwon Heads women’s captain/coach Steph Theodore has posted her two highest scores of the Geelong Cricket Association season in the past fortnight.

Batting at number seven, Theodore smacked two sixes on her way to an unbeaten 68 from 37 balls as the Seagulls accounted for Highton Durran on Sunday in their Twenty30 contest.

She backed up after hitting 78 in a close win against Lethbridge in round 12 and is averaging 55.82.

Mikaela Monahan (34) and Jane Burch (35 not out) also helped push the total up to 4-183 before Highton Durran were kept to 35 from 16 overs at McDonald Reserve.

Summer Don and Katrina Lumb claimed two wickets each before Cindel McSween took care of the tail and finished with 3-6.

Following three straight victories, the third-placed Gulls venture to South Barwon for the final home and away round this Sunday, February 23.

Theodore said she had a great group of players, and that she was helping players develop batting and bowling routines as well as understand their role in the team.

“I’m trying to get them to think a bit differently because I want them to believe in themselves, that they’re not stressed too much if they bowl a bad ball.

“I don’t want them to go into their shell and be a bit too conservative because they don’t seem to be relaxed.”

Reducing extras and hard running between wickets are also areas of focus for the Seagulls.

In other round 14 encounters, Geelong City host North Geelong in a top of the table clash, St Joseph’s welcome Lethbridge and East Belmont play Highton Durran.