Tara Murray
Westmeadows women’s side’s incredible run has continued with the club’s top side through to a seventh straight grand final.
The Warriors have made the grand final every year they’ve had a women’s side and will be looking for revenge in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association women’s competition on Sunday against Caroline Springs.
The two sides have faced off in the past two grand finals, with the ledger at one-apiece.
The Warriors only just won through to the decider, beating Glenroy in a thriller in Sunday’s semi final.
Glenroy batted first and made 5-88 from its 20 overs. The Warriors shared the wickets around, with five of the six bowlers taking a wicket.
The Warriors chase would go down to the final over. They would hit the winning runs with two balls remaining, finishing 6-89.
Danielle Linton top scored with 26.
Warriors coach Bill Clendenning said it was pretty nervous times in the final over, but felt like his side could get the job done,
“It was a close call,” he said. “I was feeling a bit sick and nervous in the last over.
“I knew the ladies coming into bat were a big chance to get the runs.
“In the end, I was standing on the other side of the ground on my own and I could here everyone celebrating when we won.”
Clendenning said the record that the group had was something to be proud of and it inspires the next generation of girls to want to play at the club..
The club’s second women’s side plays in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association women’s T20 competition and is on top with one round remaining.
“It’s massive,” he said of the record. “Half the girls have played in all seven grand final and there’s some going to play in their first grand final.
“Winning one grand final is massive. The more you win it gets even bigger.
“There’s a pathway for the junior girls and our senior girls help out with them. There’s two girls who were in our under-14s last year who are now playing in the senior comp.”
The Warriors now face Caroline Springs in the grand final, after the Falcons beat Aberfeldie in another thriller.
With the Falcons winning last season’s grand final, the Warriors are keen to get one back over them.
“We definitely want to get revenge,” he said. “We beat them a few weeks ago and the revenge was there.
“Hopefully we can bowl as well as we did then and get the win.”
