In-form Mooney leads Premier side to title

Australian T20 World Cup hero Beth Mooney has dominated another final, hitting a sparkling century for Sandgate-Redcliffe against Gold Coast in the Katherine Raymont Shield decider at Allan Border Field.

Mooney continued her stellar season, scoring 112 to help Sandgate-Redcliffe to the premiership on Sunday, just a week after playing a leading role in Australia's World Cup triumph at the MCG.

Mooney and her World Cup winning teammate Delissa Kimmince (Gold Coast) became available to play in the final of the Women's Premier Grade competition when Australia's tour of South Africa was cancelled late last week as part of measures surrounding the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The left-hander picked up where she left off at the MCG last weekend, hitting 112 off 97 balls, as she and her Queensland teammate Jemma Barsby (85) put on 147 for the third wicket.

The Dolphins fought back emphatically with Toowoomba seamer Eliza Flynn twice being on a hat-trick to claim 4-30 as Sandgate-Redcliffe were bowled out for 238 in the 49th over.

Kimmince took 1-23 from eight overs for the Gold Coast while Australia A allrounder Sammy Jo Johnson claimed 2-40.

The Dolphins worked hard to stay in the run chase, with Australia A wicketkeeper Georgia Redmayne hitting 50 and Johnson hitting two sixes in her innings of 41, but the minor premiers were unable to shake off a determined bowling attack.

Barsby led the way with 2-29 off her 10 overs as well as taking four catches while Dutch international Iris Zwilling took 3-32 as Gold Coast were dismissed for 207 in the 49th over.

The action took place against the backdrop of the 90th Anniversary celebrations of the formation of women's cricket in Queensland, with more than 70 past Queensland players attending a function at Allan Border Field.

In Victoria, Essendon Maribyrnong Park and Prahran, both bolstered by the return of international players as a result of Australia’s postponed tour of South Africa, recorded convincing wins to set up an enticing grand final meeting. 

Prahran’s Annabel Sutherland, the youngest member of Australia’s World Cup winning squad, put in a fine all-round performance to lead her side to a semi-final victory against a Box Hill lineup featuring Australia captain Meg Lanning.

Opening the bowling for Prahran, Sutherland returned figures of 4-19 from her nine overs, including the prized scalp of Lanning for two runs.

Box Hill no.6 batter Stephanie Butler’s 42 added vital runs to the scoreboard, but a late flurry of wickets from leg-spinner Alana King (2-25) saw Box Hill all out for 105 in the 36th over. 

In reply, Sutherland was able to calmly anchor Prahran’s chase, scoring a 63-ball 65 to steer her side to victory in the 20th over. 

Prahran will meet Essendon Maribyrnong Park in next weekend’s Victorian Premier grand final, after EMP’s impressive bowling performance set up a four-wicket win against Plenty Valley.

Another side receiving a huge boost as a result of Australia’s postponed tour, EMP welcomed back World Cup winning squad members Molly Strano and Georgia Wareham.

Off-spinner Strano was typically economical, recording 2-15 from her nine overs, but it was Brianna Binch who led the charge for EMP, taking 3-16 from 8.4 overs. 

Sophie Reid’s 28 and Sophie Day’s 19 were the most valuable contributions for Plenty Valley as they were bowled out for 107 in the 47th over. 

Defending a small total, Plenty Valley’s Rhiann O’Donnell (5-16) tore through EMP’s top order, removing each of the top five batters, Elyse Villani, Mackinley Blows, Wareham, Strano and Jenny Taffs, for single figure scores, keeping her side in the contest.

With EMP in trouble at 5-21, Alyssa Humphries (34) and Taylah Lynn (33) were able to steady the ship, putting on a crucial 54-run stand to lift EMP to 6-75. 

After Humphries was run out, Binch (8*) joined Lynn to secure victory for EMP in the 43rd over.  

In Western Australia, Subiaco Floreat batters Nicole Bolton and Megan Banting put on an opening partnership of 157 runs to thrash South Perth and secure a spot in the weekend’s grand final against Midland-Guildford. 

Down in Tasmania, South Hobart Sandy Bay and Clarence recorded victories to set up a grand final meeting on the weekend. 

The NSW First Grade semi-finals will be conducted this weekend, with Sydney to take on Northern District, and Penrith to face Universities.  

Main pic: Bob Jones Photography