Following the men’s Merrin Cup victory the door of the trophy cabinet was left ajar for the Fullers Taxi Trucks Ladies Cricket team to travel to Cootamundra to contest and collect the Coota Ladies 8’s Cricket trophy, the girls were looking for their 4th consecutive victory.
Played in excellent weather conditions the originals of the Harden team went into the day quietly confident, with the two newcomers a little nervous as to what lay ahead of them. Years of practice in the back yard of the Sharman house put Ann in good stead as her skills were evident right from the get go with her medium pace deliveries and her safety in the field – Ann was not so lucky with the bat early on as she was run out without even facing a ball, she did go on to correct that later in the day with some good hits and she loved the running between the wicket challenge.
Another newcomer Tina “Warnie” O’Connor had a great day and loved both the social and the competitive side of play. Tina accepted the position in the squad on the proviso that it was understood that she couldn’t bat or field, but she rated herself an excellent bowler – after underestimating herself Tina proved a very valuable member and her opening batting partnership with Ev Shea in the 2nd match proved a match winner of which she went out of her way to shout for herself.
As previously stated the Harden ladies are yet to be beaten in this format of the game and after Sunday their record remains in tact with the girls required to win three preliminary games and then the grand-final. The first match saw Harden bat first with Kate Menz and Sonia Howarth accumulating most of the runs with Sonia retiring 20 not out and Kate not far behind. Our opponents were gallant in defeat and the Harden girls had to ensure that their bowling and fielding was up to scratch to ensure a first up victory, at one stage it was thought that lights would be required to complete Ev’s 1st over, but she gained composure and got the job done. Some good catching by both Julie and Erica and to Kate Menz for taking one on the eye for the team ensured the victory.
In our 2nd game we held the opposition to a meager total of 40 runs and Tina and Ev knocked most of these runs over – Julie decided to give Simon’s bat a go and wasn’t happy when her stumps crept up on her, giving herself out hitwicket – pleading with the umpire to enforce the backyard rules of “cant get out first ball” this only fell on deaf ears as the umpire raised his finger – the Harden girls won this game quite easily.
The 3rd game was a warm up for the grandfinal as Harden went into the game knowing that they would be meeting these opponents later in the grandfinal – tactics was the order of the day and we teams didn’t give much away by sending Maryanne and Kate in to clean up the total without any bother – Coota would be left wondering what batting talent was left sitting in the stands.
Grandfinal time and the opposition decided to bat – just what Harden wanted ! Tight bowling by all concerned including “nervous Erica” whom received a few tips from Josh after her first match restricted the opposition to 50.
Ever confident they could get the job done Kate and Maryanne strode out to bat – a few 4 later and even a 5 all run soon seen the tally quickly amass and Maryanne retired on 20 with Kate and friends left to clean up the rest – jubilation from the huge Harden crowd as the winning runs were hit. With trophy and winning cheque in hand the Harden girls headed home to celebrate their victory.
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