A hotly contested season in the Women’s First XI One-Day competition is set to conclude this season as Geelong and Box Hill meet this Saturday at Shepley Oval at 10am.
The game will be the final one of the women’s competition following Prahran and Carlton’s success in the Second and Third XI Grand Finals last Saturday.
Having met recently in a close encounter, this weekend’s decider is shaping up to be one not many will forget about anytime soon.
One-Day Season So Far
The Cats and Mustangs have had very similar season’s in the one-day competition, with both finishing on seven wins by season’s end.
However, Geelong were able to finish on top having secured two more bonus points throughout the season than Box Hill
They’re both particularly strong with the ball, with the Cats conceding 172 runs per game whilst the Mustangs conceding 167 runs each bowling innings.
With the ball the Cats have had a wide spread of contributors, led by spinner Grace Jones who’s taken 14 one-day wickets at an average of 20.
Box Hill’s attack is led by star all-rounder duo Shashikala Siriwardene and Zoe Griffiths, with Siriwardene taking 23 one-day wickets and Griffiths one wicket behind her.
Griffiths has also been solid with the bat, sitting only behind Rhianna Southby in the Mustangs leading one-day run-scorers category.
Geelong however do boost the One-Day competition’s leading run scorer in captain Steph Townsend, with Amelie Munday, who’s scored the second-most runs for Geelong, 300 runs behind her.
Key Players –
Stephanie Townsend
It’s been a stellar season for the reigning Una Paisley Medalist not just with the bat, but also with the ball.
Scoring 562 runs at an average of 56.2, Townsend has five fifties to her name, two of which coming in two of Geelong’s last four matches against Ringwood and Plenty Valley.
She also provides a handy bowling option having taken eight wickets this season, all of which coming this year after moving herself up the bowling order.
Zoe Griffiths
It’s been a stellar season yet again for spinning allrounder Griffiths not just in the one-day format, but in general.
Has scored a combined 417 runs in both the 50-over and 20-over format at an average of just under 35. With the ball has taken a total of 29 wickets at an average of 15.
Comes into this game in decent bowling form having taken multiple wickets in three of the last four games for Box Hill.
What each team had to say –
Geelong Coach Stephen Field
“The entire cricket community is buzzing with anticipation for this weekend and what it means for Geelong and the entire south west region in terms of growing and promoting cricket to girls and women.
“For the club, there is great pride as to what we have achieved so far, and everyone is pretty calm and looking forward to the opportunity to experience all that a premier grand final has to offer.”
Box Hill Coach Michael Vozzo
“They’re unbelievably excited to get a second crack at winning a flag this year after weather thwarted our first attempt in the T20 final.
“Nine months of dedicated work from a loyal, hard working bunch of players who believe in each other and just love their club. Whatever the result, the girls have a great time proving the Mustangs are back!”
Last Meeting – Sunday March 2nd, Geelong (9-180, 49.2 overs) defeated Box Hill (8-179cc) by one wicket
A tight affair throughout which saw minor premiers Geelong book their ticket to the One-Day decider in the final over at the Geelong Cricket Ground.
The Mustangs batted first and, after being 5-76 halfway through their innings, were able to get to 8-179 courtesy of Maddie Wright’s 41 off 53 deliveries and opener Rhianna Southby’s 34 off 68 balls.
Led by captain Steph Townsend, Annie Taylor and Renee Moffitt, the Cats reached 3-120 at the end of the 30th over before Box Hill took 6-49 between the 31st and 47th overs.
Meika King and Sarah Burton then composed themselves to help guide the Cats to victory with four balls remaining.
The match will be broadcast live from 9:55am on the Victorian Premier Cricket Facebook and YouTube pages.