Tara Murray
Premiership success is sweeter the second time round for Macedon in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s league.
After winning last season’s grand final without a ball being bowled due to the weather, the Cats found themselves back in the grand final this season.
There was no rain in sight on Sunday, with the Cats proving too strong for Lancefield Black in the decider.
Cats coach Tim Shaw said this season was a different experience to last season’s premiership.
“It’s always great to win a premiership,” he said. “You want to win a premiership by playing, it’s the best way to do it.
“It’s a significant moment for the team and the club. It was a really good battle between two really good teams.”
The Tigers decided to bat first after winning the toss on their home deck. They were bowled out for 80 in the 22nd over.
Emily Consiglio top scored for the Tigers with 24 not out.4
Shaw said they were happy with how they were able to restrict the Tigers to a really gettable total.
“We wanted to keep the pressure on them and bowl, full straight and fast, which was a key,” he said.
“Their captain [Consiglio] played a magnificent innings and was really strong. We tried to restrain her scoring by keeping her off strike as well as getting the people out around her.
“We also put a lot of effort into our fielding over the summer and it paid off.”
Amber Smajila was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-17 off 4.4 overs.
Shaw admits nerves got the better of them early in their batting innings. The side slipped into early trouble at 3-12.
He said the girls needed to remember there was no rush to get the runs and they had to take their time.
“They needed to take their time,” he said. “We were able to get some partnerships together and start chipping away at the target.
“It was always an achievable target.”
Smajila top finished with 29 not out off 44 balls, while Charli Large also finished with 29 not out.
Smajila was awarded the player of the match for her all round performance.
Having had this success, Shaw said it was something that the club wanted to continue to build on.
They also have a junior girls program, allowing for players to develop at the club and then continue to progress.
“The exciting part for the club is that a lot of people are invested in the women’s program,” Shaw said.
“We’ve got the girls team, the women’s program and we have female ladders at the club. Everyone is 100 per cent supportive and it’s an important part of the club.”
