Tara Murray
Melton’s Amy Hibbert produced a remarkable spell to lift her side to a confidence boosting win in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket Competition shield 2 competition.
Facing Point Cook Centrals on Sunday, Hibbert took an incredible 9-21 off 6.2 overs including taking a double hat-trick as the Sharks were bowled out for 89 in the 19th over.
Lions coach Gavin Boon said it was an incredible performance.
“I’ve been part of a game where someone took 9-18 and had two hat-tricks, but I’ve never seen something like this in the women’s competition,” he said.
“We played through pouring rain and once the rain stopped, she just bowled at the stumps and every wicket was bowled or LBW.
“We filmed the hat-trick ball and were busy sending it around, we missed the double hat-trick ball.”
The other wicket was a run out.
Boon said they were still going through the club records to find out whether it was the best bowling performance ever.
He said it was definitely the best from a women’s perspective.
After losing two early wickets in the run chase, the Lions steadied and finished 2-90.
Candace Hulett made 53 off 50 balls.
Boon said the win was a special one.
“We hadn’t been travelling too well and the other team decided to bat to try and put on a big score,” he said. “It gives a whole lot of confidence. The group has been putting in at training and deserved to get the rewards.”
Boon said the inclusion of Hulett and Liz Trakosas had really helped the side build some confidence with the bat.
After eight rounds, the Lions sit in sixth spot, seven points outside the top four.
The Lions are at home this Sunday against Parkfield.
Boon said they were hoping they could build on that result.
“We want to work our way into the season,” he said. “This game should give us confidence.”
Meanwhile, Melton was one of the few sides to come away with no points in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association south-west on the weekend.
Playing across both Saturday and Sunday, there was a little bit of everything for the players.
On Saturday, there was 30-plus degree weather, before rain on Sunday meant the majority of the matches ended in a draw.
The Lions match with Malvern was one of the expectations, as one of the three matches to get results.
After winning the toss on Saturday, the Lions decided to bat in the warm weather.
The Lions had a solid start before losing three quick wickets to slump to 4-69.
The tail pushed the score past 150 before four quick wickets saw the Lions bowled out for 187 in the 71st over.
William Chesterman top scored with 62.
Malvern took its time in the run chase.
It was able to put together some strong partnerships as it got over the line, finishing 5-189 in the 83rd over.
James Robertson took three wickets for the Lions.
