THE Murray Downs Diamonds are Wimmera Girls Cricket League (WGCL) premiers after a dominant performance over the Horsham Sixers in their last game of the competition.
Batting first, the side reached a massive 0 for 165 off their 20 overs, which was on the back of some impressive batting from Issy Boulton with 42 not out, Amalie Bell (20 not out) and Reese Parsons (13 not out).
Defending such a huge total, the Diamonds then went on the attack, eventually limiting the Sixers to 9-62.
Bell backed up her impressive knock with the bat, taking four wickets – with three of those coming in one over.
Mia Hansen and Parsons chipped in with a wicket each as the girls put it all on the line in the field – Hansen and Bridie Curran at one point colliding as they attempted to catch a sky ball.
Luckily, Curran took a wonderful catch and both players were fine after the collision.
Coach Alan Hatcher was exceptionally proud of the girls’ efforts that has resulted in them winning the premiership.
“We’re pretty happy, there are some really good girls teams there now,” he said.
“To win a competition like this is excellent, especially with a number of new players who have never played before.
“From starting halfway through the year last year to playing a full season and winning the cup is an amazing effort.”
The league rewards wickets with teams earning a bonus five runs for every wicket they take – with Hatcher stressing the importance of taking wickets throughout the season.
“Our aim every game has been to lose less wickets than the opposition,” he said.
“That means that we gain extra runs.
“To not lose a wicket at all and take nine of theirs, that made a big difference.”
Plans are well under way to hopefully create a girls league based in the Swan Hill region for next season, however Hatcher is still wanting to be involved in the WGCL.
“We would still like to be involved in the Wimmera Girls Competition,” he said.
“But maybe if we have our own competition, we can use the Wimmera competition for our representative side.”
“We still want to support the league, because it’s given these girls a great opportunity.”
