WNCL: Breakers win thriller while Vic, Tas falter

SA Scorpions v NSW Breakers

Nineteen-year-old Tahlia Wilson struck an unbeaten 95 to steer the NSW Breakers to a thrilling, final over victory over the South Australia Scorpions.

Wilson, playing in just her third match for the Breakers, smashed her previous high-score of 29 with her 111-ball 95 that included 11 fours. 

SCORECARD: NSW Breakers defeat SA Scorpions by six wickets

Reigning champions, the Breakers scored a six-wicket win in a match that was reduced to 37-overs a side after wet conditions in Adelaide delayed the start time by more than two hours.

Set an imposing total of 195 by the hosts, the Breakers’ chase didn’t start well, with Scorpions debutante Stacey Oates dismissing stand-in captain Lisa Griffith with the very first ball of the innings.

Image Id: 39B55DF467F745D5A9CA971CB8609CF1 Image Caption: Stacy Oates celebrates a first ball wicket on debut \\ AAP \ David Mariuz

Naomi Stalenberg joined Wilson in the middle, where they combined for an 86-run stand before Amanda-Jade Wellington dismissed Stalenberg (42) in the 16th over.

Rachel Trenaman (24) and Phoebe Litchfield (18) added handy runs, but it was Wilson who was driving the scoreboard pressure for the Breakers.

When Litchfield was run out by Patterson in the 34th over, experienced NSW allrounder Rene Farrell joined Wilson with the Breakers needing 11 runs for victory.

Image Id: 7E15141B49C0425AAC3C0BE2D7A39A48 Image Caption: Tahlia Wilson clapped off for her match winning performance \\ AAP \ David Mariuz

Wellington, Tahlia McGrath and Oates claimed a wicket each in a bowling performance that was ultimately unable to trouble the NSW batters.

Earlier, the Scorpions’ innings saw an imposing 101-run opening partnership between Bridget Patterson (78 not out) and McGrath (59).

It took until the 20th over for New South Wales to find the breakthrough, with 16-year-old Hayley Silver-Holmes bowling McGrath on 59 to claim her first ever WNCL wicket on debut for the Breakers. 

Patterson continued to score with intent to finish on 78 not out from 99 balls to take the Scorpions to a total of 8-195.

Farrell and Trenaman finished with two wickets each.

Western Australia v Tasmania Tigers 

Nicole Bolton proved the difference with bat and ball as Western Australia secured their second victory in as many days, fighting off a spirited chase by the Tasmanian batters to win by 16 runs.

SCORECARD: Western Australia defeat Tasmania Tigers by 16 runs

Sending Western Australia into bat at Souths District Cricket Ground in Brisbane, Tasmania got off to a good start in their WNCL opener, capturing the wickets of Chloe Piparo (1), Amy Edgar (11) and Sophie Devine (12) inside the first 10 overs.

Fresh off a match-winning performance on Saturday, Bolton came to the crease in the 10th over with Western Australia at 3-30 to score 63 runs from 80 balls, in an innings that included seven boundaries.

Batting alongside Megan Banting (46) for the majority of the innings, their 93-run stand was the sole meaningful partnership for Western Australia.

Bolton’s wicket fell in the 42nd over at the hands of Maisy Gibson, which sparked a flurry of wickets for Tasmania. They were all out for 194 with an over remaining. Belinda Vakarewa was Tasmania’s standout performer with the ball, finishing her 10 overs with 3-27.

In reply, it was number three batter Corinne Hall that kept Tasmania in the contest as wickets fell consistently around her.

Image Id: 2FC5654111AB49498AE3EA312D47624A Image Caption: West Australia celebrate a wicket in their win over Tasmania \\ AAP \ Glenn Hunt

Hall struck a fighting 55 from 93 deliveries, sticking around until the 42nd over before falling caught and bowled to Devine.

Bolton was also impressive with the ball, finishing her 10 overs with 2-26.

Vakarewa joined Samantha Bates in the middle with one wicket in hand and 17 runs required, however a run-out three balls later handed Western Australia the victory.

ACT Meteors v Victoria

An impressive knock from ACT Meteors opener Katie Mack set the platform for an 18-run victory over Victoria.

In a rain-delayed match that was reduced to 33 overs a side, Mack’s 63 runs off 81 balls, combined with Anna Lanning’s 55-ball 46 powered the Meteors to a total of 6-168.

SCORECARD: ACT Meteors defeat Victoria by 18 runs

Annabel Sutherland claimed the key wicket of Mack in the 27th over with the Meteors on 132 runs.

Elyse Villani, on a mission to force herself back into the Australia squad after being left out for the recent tour of the West Indies, opened the batting for Victoria alongside Makinley Blows.

Image Id: E2EAE482A2E24F9DA5633C702C8C134F Image Caption: Ellyse Villani scored 41 in Victoria's opening WNCL match \\ AAP \ Mark Brake

The two put on a 107-run opening stand to keep Victoria in the contest, however, by the 26th over they were both back in the sheds with Victoria needing a further 62 runs from seven overs.

Sutherland added 35 runs to the total to finish unbeaten, but the Victorians fell short some 18 runs short of victory.

The WNCL action continues on Tuesday, with Queensland taking on Tasmania in Brisbane. Then on Wednesday, the Scorpions are up against ACT Meteors and NSW Breakers take on Victoria. Fans are able to attend all WNCL matches across Australia for free.