Meteors upset Breakers
22 November, 2009
The NSW Breakers have gone down to the ACT Meteors by four wickets in a low-scoring, but thrilling, Women’s National Cricket League match at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Chasing 176 to win, the Meteors scored the winning runs with just 15 balls to spare. Sara Hungerford was named Player of the Match for a game winning 40 not out from 55 balls.
NSW won the toss and elected to bat but could not repeat the efforts of Saturday’s big victory.
The ACT struck early to have the Breakers reeling at 3-5 with Aimee Harris removing both NSW openers, Alex Blackwell for a duck and Leah Poulton for two.
Lisa Sthalekar (48) and Alyssa Healy (29) then combined for a 62 run fourth wicket stand, but both lost their wickets just as they looked set.
Playing her first WNCL match, Claire Koski provided some impetus late in the innings with her 37 from 44 balls helping NSW reach 175.
The ACT made a steady start to their chase. Leonie Coleman and Laura Wright put on 50 runs in a 12 over opening stand before Erin Osborne removed Wright for 23.
Osborne struck again soon after, taking out the dangerous Kris Britt for 10, then Leonie Coleman was stumped by Alyssa Healy off Lisa Sthalekar for 38.
With the ACT at 3-74, NSW were in a strong position and another quick wicket would have set the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons.
However the Meteors’ middle order batters dug in with Em Preston (25) then Hungerford playing vital roles in getting the team home.
For NSW, it was their first loss in the WNCL since January 2008, ending a winning streak of 11 matches.