Tara Murray
Lancefield completed the perfect season in the inaugural Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s competition.
The Tigers beat Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury in back-to-back finals on the one day to seal the title.
Tigers captain and women’s co-ordinator Emily Consilgio said it was exciting to claim the premiership.
“It was definitely exciting,” she said. “To be undefeated and finish off the grand final was really special.
Consilgio said having to play back-to-back games was a challenge.
She said one of the biggest things was staying mentally switched on.
“It was a killer,” Consilgio said of having two games.
“Mentally you had to be alright. You had to keep the pressure on them.
“If a person was a bit flat, everyone got around them.
“It was only 40 overs more, but to go back-to-back there were some sore bodies afterwards, but it was definitely worth it.”
In the grand final against Sunbury, the Tigers batted well, making 6-135 from their overs.
Brianna Woodburn top scored with 29 at the top of the order.
Consilgio said some tight bowling got them on top early in the innings, restricting the Roar in the first 10 overs.
“They were about 40 after 10 overs,” Consilgio said.
“We kept the bowling tight and we were tactical when we would bowl each bowler.”
The Roar were restricted to 2-96.
Woodburn took 1-4 off her three overs, while Sharon White took the other wicket.
Woodburn was named player of the match.
It’s a second straight grand final for the Tigers, who were runners-up in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association women’s division 1 competition last season.
Consilgio said having Andrew Richardt and Mark Caton come on as coaches this season had had a big impact.
Personally, she said it was special to claim the premiership, having played a major role in setting up the competition.
The Tigers wanted to play locally and have somewhere for up-and-coming juniors to play.
“There were four of us [across the competition] who met this time last year and formed a sub-committee and said we are doing it,” she said.
“It was good to get it off the ground and it was a lot better than I thought it would be. It’s positive for the women’s game and there’s a lot of under-17s across the teams who are top age. This gives them a pathway.”
