By Tara Murray
Rain may have dampened the Gisborne and District Cricket Association women’s league grand final, but couldn’t dampen Bacchus Marsh’s premiership celebrations.
The Bulls, who had been the top side all season, were set to face Macedon in the grand final on Sunday.
But the weather had other ideas with the match called off after rain falling all morning.
The Bulls, who lost just one match for the season, were awarded the premiership after finishing on top of the ladder. Macedon had been in a similar position before, winning its first premiership after finishing on top and the grand final washed out.
Bulls captain-coach Tomeka Fowlie said while it wasn’t the way they wanted to win, they felt they deserved to win the premiership after the season that they had.
“Obviously you want to have that fair fight for both teams,” she said. “The weather didn’t want to play, but it’s looking fine now [Sunday afternoon].
“That is cricket and that’s how it works.”
Fowlie said the whole club had bought into supporting the women’s side and it was reflected in the results and growth of the program.
She said the whole club was proud of them and wanted them to taste that success.
The premiership is the club’s first women’s premiership, going one step better than last season when they lost in the grand final to Darley.
Fowlie said the girls said from the start of the season they wanted that silverware this season.
“That is what we wanted to do and it’s good,” she said. “When I came to the club the first thing they told me was they wanted to win it.
“They wanted to win it this season. Everyone is really happy and the vibes around the club are really good.”
The Bulls set new standards this season with both the bat and ball.
The Bulls regularly scored 200 after the Christmas break, while they were able to restrict the opposition
Opening bats Sarah Bamford and Ashley Gillard scored more than 500 runs each and averaged more than 50 runs.
Bamford, who finished second in the run scoring, averaged 164.
Fowlie was also in the top 10 for runs, averaging 123.
Emily Kennedy was their best with the ball, taking 14 wickets.
“As a team we have depth in the batting, bowling and fielding,” she said. “It has set us apart from a few other teams.
“That is a massive strength for us and it gives the other clubs something to aim for next season.”
With one premiership under their belts, the Bulls are keen to make it more in the future.
Bu that will come after a few days of celebrations.
“As good as it is, we want to keep winning.”
