Tara Murray
Westmeadows’ premiership dreams ended in heartache for a second straight season in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association women’s T20 competition.
Playing off in a seventh straight grand final, the Warriors were hoping to get some revenge on Caroline Springs, which won the grand final last season.
It was the third straight season the two teams were playing off in a grand final.
The Falcons first and got off to a nervous start and were in trouble at 2-9 early with Danielle Linton taking both wickets.
That brought Caitlin Pretty and My Yen Au to the crease.
The two slowly built a partnership before taking things on late, including 19 runs off the penultimate over, to finish 3-123.
Pretty finished unbeaten on 74 from 53 balls, while Yen Au was run out for 42.
Linton was the pick of the bowlers with 2-18 from her four overs.
That partnership would prove to be the difference in the match.
The Warriors started slowly also and were quickly in trouble at 3-8 and it would soon be 7-55.
Emily Brebner was able to stick around with opener Danielle Linton and the Warriors were finally able to put on a partnership.
It wouldn’t be enough, with the Warriors falling well short, finishing 7-94.
Linton batted the whole 20 overs and was able to make 37 not out from 44 balls, including two fours, but wasn’t able to get enough of the strike to take things on.
Kyah Marum took 3-14 from her four overs to be the pick of the bowlers.
Warriors captain Sammy Devereux said the Falcons had played some really good cricket the last three years and the premiership was well deserved.
She said her group was keen to come back next year again and continue to improve as they look to get back on top.
She also thanked the club’s supporters for their support with a large group making their way out to watch them.
Falcons captain Alisha Fowler paid tribute to the little rivalry the two clubs have.
“Whether high scoring runs or low scoring runs it’s a good game,” she said.
“We love playing you guys and we love the challenge and that rivalry and we can still come in and have a beer afterwards too.”
She also paid tribute to the efforts of Linton with the bat and batting through the innings.
The Warriors second XI will be hoping it can go one better, with the side to play finals in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association T20 division 2 competition.
The club finished in the top two.
Speaking before the grand final, coach Bill Clendenning said it was exciting for the program to continue to have success.
“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.”
