Universities women’s cricket captain Alex Blackwell is one match away from a full suite of titles at state and club levels for the 2014-15 season.
Having led NSW to the National limited overs and Twenty20 titles and Universities to the Sydney grade Twenty20 title, Blackwell is now focused on claiming the Sydney grade limited overs title when Universities take on Bankstown in the final this Sunday, March 22.
Her run-laden season continued at the Village Green on Sunday when she cracked 63 in Universities’ 104-run semi-final win over Campbelltown-Camden, which set up a final appointment with Bankstown.
Having been sent in by Campbelltown-Camden, Universities were on target for a big scored when openers Rachael Haynes (86) and Georgia Redmayne (25) put on a 76-run stand. Haynes, who hit nine boundaries in her 95-ball stay, then shared a 73-run stand with Blackwell.
When Haynes departed with the score on 179, the skipper steadied the ship as Universities lost 6-80 to finish with a competitive 8-269.
Despite solid contributions from No.3 Clare Koski (61) and opener Sarah Coyte (28), Campbelltown-Camden were always behind the eight-ball against some tight bowling from the Universities attack.
Kara Sutherland (3-26), Emily Mifsud (2-9) and Kate Koppack (2-15) were the pick of the eight bowlers used as the visitors were skittled for 166 in the 39th over.
The First Grade final will be played at North Sydney Oval, with the match starting at 10am.
Scoreboard
Sydney Women’s Grade Cricket competition – Semi-finals (Limited Overs)
First Grade: Universities 8-269 off 50 overs (Rachael Haynes 86, Alex Blackwell 63, Georgie Redmayne 25, Maisy Gibson 20 not out; Chloe Gray 2-26, Lauren Cheatle 2-41) d Campbelltown-Camden 166 off 39.2 overs (Clare Koski 61, Sarah Coyte 28; Kara Sutherland 3-26, Emily Mifsud 2-9, Kate Koppack 2-15) by 104 runs at the Village Green. Toss: Campbelltown-Camden. Batted first: Universities.
Minor semi-final: Bankstown 6-260 d Northern District 79 at Bankstown Oval.
Final: Universities v Bankstown at North Sydney Oval on Sunday, March 22, with a 10am start.
Third Grade: Gordon 5-130 off 40 overs (Alexandra Mueller 46 not out, Jane Warrilow 23; Katrina Serena 2-10, Wendy Maxwell 1-7) d Universities Blue 8-107 off 40 overs (Lisa East 23, Alison Chisholm 20, Katrina Serena 19; Lisa Chan 2-13) at Tempe Reserve Oval 1. Toss: Gordon. Batted first: Gordon.
