Tara Murray
Laurimar held its nerve to come away with the victory in the North Metro Cricket Association Lorraine Ireland Shield summer grand final.
In its third straight grand final, the Power faced Hurstbridge, which was playing in its fourth straight grand final.
The match went down to the wire, with Power coach Maree Wells restricting Hurstbridge to two runs off the final over to seal the win for her team.
Wells was speechless and so proud of the group.
“What a win,” she said. “It was a nail biter and it came down to the final over.
“I didn’t really think about it that much and left myself to bowl the final over, putting the pressure on myself.
“I felt like I was going to vomit in the last over but I was able to hold myself together.
“All the girls were ecstatic.”
The Power batted first making 143, bowled out with four balls remaining.
Opener Tracy Ashby top scored with 60 not out after opening the batting.
Wells said originally she wasn’t confident that they had enough runs on the board.
“We know how Hurstbridge can play,” she said. “They are really quick and like to get a lot of singles.
“We tried to cut off their singles which is hard to do.
“I was hoping for 160 on the board. I was a little worried, but my daughter-in-law Rachael Toohey.
Just reminded me we’ve been in this situation before and got across the line.”
Wells said the chat between innings was just reinforcing that they knew what they needed to do to pull off the win.
The pressure was on as Hurstbridge lost an early wicket with the departure of Tanya Joynson for seven and captain Rebecca Hayes a few overs later for nine.
The pressure continued throughout the innings with Hurstbridge needing seven off the final over.
In the end it finished 6-139.
Tara Chetcuti took two wickets for the Power.
Hurstbridge’s Ruby Joynson was named player of the match for her 51 not out and 3-23.
Wells, who joined the club at the start of the Spring season, was in her first season coaching the side.
She said she’s not planning on going anywhere and wants to help the program expand.
“There’s been a lot of support from the club,” she said. “We’ll look to recruit and the aim is to get a second team as well.
“We’ll keep working hard and we know we have things to work on. Hopefully next season we’ll get another trophy.”
