Craigieburn is celebrating its second women’s premiership after a dominant display against Hoppers Crossing in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket north-west competition grand final.
Looking to add to their premiership joy from 2013-14, the Eagles showed why they were one of the most consistent sides all season.
It was the bowlers that set up the win at DS Aitken Reserve, not allowing Hoppers Crossing to set a competitive total.
Coach Chris Barton said he was a little nervous early on as the players struggled bowling with a tricky wind.
“We were bowling first and there was a lot of wind,” he said.
“The girls were struggling especially from one end. They got their act into gear and stifled the runs and then picked up some wickets.”
The Eagles bowled the Cats out for just 60.
Rebecca Lines took four wickets, while Kristy Carbis took three wickets in a tight bowling display, conceding just four runs off 10 overs.
Chasing a small total, the Eagles took their time to make sure they got the runs.
Barton said the directive was to be patient during the run chase as they had plenty of time.
“It might not seem like much,” he said. “But it’s still runs on the board.
“We said you don’t have to go hammer and tong straight away.
“Hoppers bowled some good lines as well and you could see why Geelong struggled against them last week.”
The Eagles finished 2-63 off 27 overs.
Lines, who finished 22 not out, was named best on ground by the umpires just ahead of Carbis.
Barton said both would have been deserving of the award.
Eagles skipper Litara Va’auli dedicated the premiership win to David Woodgate.
Woodgate, who died last year after a battle with illness, coached the side for a number of years.
Several players from this season’s team were also part of the first premiership.
Barton, in his first season as coach, said the one-day format suited his team more than the T20 format.
He said the side had really come together at the right time of the season and could see the work done at training had paid off.
“We’ve got a core group of five or six regulars at training,” he said.
“Others have work, families or university and can’t always train.
“They all come together at the season’s end.”
The Eagles men’s fourth XI is halfway through its grand final against Aberfeldie.
The Eagles are 4-107 chasing Abefeldie’s 243.
