By Tara Murray
Westmeadows has broken through for its first Victorian Turf Cricket Association Women’s T20 premiership.
After being runners-up the first two seasons, it was third time lucky for the Warriors against Keilor on Sunday.
Westmeadows was favourite heading into the game, having gone through the regular season undefeated, but was pushed by a young Keilor side.
Warriors coach Danny Law said the premiership meant a lot to the playing group.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “Words can’t really describe it.
“It’s surreal and three years in the making. We’ve put a few demons to bed, which is good.”
The Warriors won the toss and elected to bat and had a solid start before a few wickets started to fall, putting them in trouble at 5-53.
Enter Kailey O’Donnell and skipper Danielle Linton.
The two batted smartly and guided the team to 5-84.
O’Donnell finished 27 not out, while Linton finished 11 not out.
Law said the pair batted well and were the difference in the game.
“We lost a few too many wickets, three of our five wickets were bowled on a good wicket, we played across the line too many times.
“Kailey and Danielle, they kept their heads. The easy thing would have been to just go out there and slog away and go out.
“We could have been bowled out for 60-odd on the board. They stayed composed and looked for the bad ball and knocked the singles around.”
Law said despite thinking a score of more than 100 was par, he was confident that they could get the job done with some good bowling and fielding.
Westmeadows couldn’t have asked for a better start with the ball, taking a wicket in each of the first two overs.
Keilor was soon in trouble at 6-13.
They fought back late in the innings, before being bowled out for 58 in the 14th over.
“I thought the bowling was really on point at the start of the innings, before in the middle we probably bowled a few too many extras,” Law said.
“We figured out it was best to bowl at the stumps and when we did that we got on top.”
Danielle Linton was the standout with the ball, taking 4-12 off four overs.
Natalie Linton and O’Donnell took two wickets each.
O’Donnell, one of the younger players in the team, was named player of the match for her 27 not out and two wickets
Law said they weren’t surprised to see her pull out a big performance at a big time.
“It’s not the first time she’s done it,” he said.
“There’s been quite a few times this season she’s come in and knocked it around and she’s played with composure.
“She’s done it on three or four occasions this season and she’s only going to get better and better.”
