The latest from Ballan Cricket Club

CHRIS THOM

Semi Final – Ballan Women 7/142

def Brown Hill 128

THE semi-final was upon us on Thursday night as our women’s team travelled to Russell Square to face Brown Hill CC in Day 1 of a two-day clash.

Winning the toss, we elected to bat first, sending the young guns Sarah and Kori out to open the innings.

The pair got us underway quickly, showing their class with some strong boundaries and quick running between the wickets. They put together a fantastic opening stand, guiding us through 18 overs with 81 runs on the board before Sarah was caught for 28.

Erin came to the crease next and continued her solid form with the bat. Soon after, Kori raised the bat for another half-century this season before being bowled for an excellent 64.

Summer joined Erin at the crease and the pair battled well against some exceptional bowling. Erin was unfortunately bowled for 13, bringing Cass to the middle to join her wife, but she was unlucky to be trapped LBW first ball.

Sav came in next, playing some solid shots and rotating the strike with Summer before being bowled for 2. Kate was next to the crease and made an immediate impact with a cracking boundary before also being given out LBW.

 

Mariah joined her sister at the crease, working a few singles before nicking off on the second-last ball of the innings. Eloise made the trek out for the final delivery, swinging hard to close out the innings.

At the end of our 40 overs, we finished 7/142, a score we felt was definitely defendable.

Day 2 commenced on Friday, with the team arriving with a positive attitude — mixed with a few nerves.

Summer and Eloise opened the bowling, and it didn’t take long for Eloise to make an impact, picking up two massive early wickets, both clean bowled with the stumps rattled.

Summer was next to strike, claiming two wickets of her own — one LBW and one bowled.

Sarah and Mariah were introduced into the attack next. Mariah kept things tight while Sarah claimed a wicket, with Sav taking a sharp catch at short cover.

Summer returned to the bowling crease and struck again, picking up two more wickets — both bowled.

Nadene rolled the arm over before drinks and was unlucky not to claim a wicket, beating the edge several times.

After drinks there was a change behind the stumps, with Summer taking the gloves and Kori coming on to bowl. The move paid off instantly as Kori made an immediate impact, picking up two wickets — one bowled and another well taken by Sav in the field.

 

With just one wicket remaining, Mariah was brought back into the attack and finished the job, taking the final wicket with Sarah holding the catch at short mid-wicket.

Brown Hill finished 128 all out, falling short of our total.

That result sends us through to the Grand Final against Ballarat Redan next Thursday and Friday at Alfredton.

An incredible effort by the team to make the Grand Final in only our second season. A true testament to the hard work, dedication, and improvement shown by every player throughout the year.

Ballan’s 2nd XI VS Darley

BALLAN’S 2nd XI played Darley at Mason’s Lane, Bacchus Marsh coming away with a win.

Ballan were sent in by Darley and amassed a total of 4/256 with Param Singh getting his 5th 100 for the season.

Ballan Batting; M. Shugg 28, P. Singh 104, E. Muir 10, C. Thom 28, M. Ayres 71 not out and J. Wernicke 3 not out.

Total 4 / 256 (40 Overs)

Darley’s bowlers; F. Heath 0/38, G Martindale 2/30, B McNabb 1/48, M Shelly 1/27, B. Wheelahan 0/25, E Richards 0/46 and M Apostolidis 0/38.

Darley Batting; G. Martindale 130, S. Martindale 7, M. Shelly 3, M. Wheelahan 15, B. Wheelahan 56 not out, E. Richards 0, S. Apostolidis 5 and F. heath 3 not out.

Total 6 / 227 (40 Overs)

Ballan bowling; C. Thom 0/37, J. Costello 1/21, J. Wernicke 1/39, P. Singh 0/14, M. Shugg 1/35, A. Britt 0/7, M. Ayres 1/60 and M. Vallance 2/10.