Tara Murray
Melton Centrals’ experience came to the fore as it claimed the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition shield 3 one-day premiership on Sunday.
Facing a young Keilor side, Centrals took control of the game with the bat, before stepping up with the ball.
Centrals’ captain-coach Candace Hulett was thrilled after the match.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” she said.
“We won the toss and I haven’t won many tosses for the year, so it was the first win for the day.
“We got a decent score and were able to control the game. Midway through our bowling innings I thought we had done enough to get the win.”
Centrals made 5-193 from their overs.
Liz Pierce made 100 before retiring with Hulett making 38.
Hulett said the arrival of Pierce to the club had been really massive.
“Liz has a great amount of experience that she has brought to the team,” she said. “She came from St Anthonys, but has played indoor cricket for Victoria and Australia.
“Her on field experience is invaluable and to put her hand up and stand up in such an important game was massive.’
With a big total the pressure was on Keilor right from the start. Hulett said Keilor’s inexperience showed.
“Keilor from ball one had to go at five or six runs and over,” she said.
“They played some rash shots and made some silly runs. We had four run outs.
“The pressure got to them and our girls stepped up.”
Keilor was bowled out for 73.
Erin Keenan took 3-8 off her nine overs.
The premiership is the club’s second women’s premiership, but their first one-day premiership, which Hulett said makes it more special.
Among those out there was Dimi Lavanda who has a three astrocytoma brain tumour.
“We did it for Dimi,” Hulett said. “It makes it extra special as we wanted to win this for her.
“She was pumped. She played in our under-13 premiership on Friday night.
“Now winning this premiership with her mum and her sister as well.”
For most of the Centrals side it’s their first premiership. Many had never played finals before either.
“They are so pumped,” Hulett said.
“Jacqueline Haffenden has been playing for a while and never been in a grand final.
“This is her first one and to be part of a good win like this is really special.”
