The former Cricket Shepparton women’s clubs have been reinjected into the GMCW, but it hasn’t taken any time to settle back into the league’s landscape.
After falling to 2-14 in the early stages of the T20, SYCU’s Mel Saunders (31 not out), Dianne Poole (27 not out) and Lia Beecroft (31 not out) put on 98 runs without loss against Katamatite, the Tigers only able to remove the trio from the crease when they retired not out for reaching 30 runs or 30 balls faced.
Finishing on 3-115, SYCU then bowled a tight line and length to restrict Katty’s runs.
The Tigers’ first wicket fell after a 33-run opening stand as Hayley Williamson made a blinder one-handed catch in short cover, leaping up with an outstretched right mitt to provide Saunders a wicket.
SYCU kept the runs low, but the wickets were few and far between, with United enduring another 33 runs without a breakthrough before Matilda Campbell threw a rocket from point to the non-strikers end to run out Katty’s Amy Bye.
Another pole was nabbed in the 19th over for SYCU, but by then the game was well out of reach, the Tigers finishing their innings 27 runs shy on 3-88.
As for the Lakers, a late batting collapse caused no issues to secure a sizeable victory against Nathalia.
Nagambie’s Amber Langham and Liz Chapman combined for a 46-run opening partnership, before Langham, Kayla Shepherd and Shelley Houston banded together for 49 runs before the next wicket dropped.
However, Nathalia would head into its batting innings with a head full of steam, the Lakers losing 6-15 across the last five overs to finish on 7-111.
After an early run out, Nathalia settled for a 43-run partnership to make chase towards the total, but was tracking two runs an over behind the required rate.
A solid knock of 20 by Abby Favaro ended after Laker Shepherd clipped the bails off and, from then on, it was complete Nagambie control.
Nathalia’s Tracey Brereton made an admirable 17, but the six batters to follow combined for only five runs to finish the innings 7-76 – a 35-run win Nagambie’s reward.
Reigning Cricket Shepparton premier Mooroopna was forced to forfeit its game against Echuca due to a lack of numbers and will hope to put a team together for round two against Nathalia.
Nagambie has an early top-of-the-table clash against 2025-26 GMCW minor premier Moama, while SYCU plays Cooma at home on Sunday.
