By JARROD POTTER
ROARING through its first victim on home soil, the Dandenong Lions Women’s Cricket Club smashed Essendon Maribyrnong Park by nine wickets.
The Lions were unstoppable in all facets – running through the Parkers’ batting order with help from far and wide as Australian representatives Julie Hunter (2/16) and Sarah Elliott (2/20) were backed up ably by Sharomi Wijeratne (3/12).
Emma Gallagher (0/22) bowled tidily and without any luck, but kept EMP on the backfoot throughout her 10 overs.
Sophie Molineux made her VWCA Premier first grade debut and was economical from her three overs.
EMP could only muster 104 at Greaves Reserve, leaving Dandenong a relatively simple chase.
In reply Erica Kershaw (5) was the only Lion to fall as she had the pegs rattled by Kristen Beams (1/27). The experience of Elliott (56no) and Kelly Applebee (37no) was too much for EMP as the pair added 97 for the second wicket to canter to the total with 20 overs remaining.
The win gets Dandenong off the mark this season and up to fourth on the VWCA ladder and will face Box Hill at Casey Fields on Sunday from 11am.
