Epping Pingettes are through to the North Metro Cricket Association women’s Lorraine Ireland division 1 B spring grand final after an epic semi-final clash with Laurimar on Sunday morning.
It was a battle between the past two winners of the Lorraine Ireland titles, with Laurimar winning the summer title last season and Epping the spring season.
The Pingettes won the toss and took to the field first at Epping Recreation Reserve with hopes that weather would clear and conditions for batting would ease.
Laura Parker got the wickets started for the Pingettes taking a wicket with just her third ball of the day, putting Laurimar on the back foot at 1-4.
Skipper Maree Wells was able to help put Laurimar’s innings back on track, batting at four, top scoring with an unbeaten 48 from 52 deliveries.
Tripti Kaushik and Pingettes’ captain Mel Durdin were their team’s best with ball in hand taking 2-14 and 2-16 respectively from their six overs.
At the end of Laurimar’s 30 overs in the middle it put up 6-116, leaving Epping to chase 117 for the win.
After a tough start at 2-13 Durdin and Kaushik, as they did with the ball, helped their team edge towards the total, with the skipper top scoring with 25, while Kaushik made 13.
With the Pingettes on 6-99 with just four and half overs to go, it wasn’t looking great for the home side.
However, some courageous batting from Tanae Creek and Bec Olsen pushed their team closer and closer to the total.
On the second last ball of the innings with scores tied, Olsen was run out leaving Creek with a run to be scored to secure a spot in the big dance.
A bye on the final ball of the game secured the victory and a date with Greensborough on the weekend.
Greensborough just edged over the line against North Balwyn on Sunday to secure its place in the match.
