By JARROD POTTER
Women’s Premier Cricket
A SEVEN-WICKET victory over Plenty Valley gave Dandenong Lions Women’s Cricket Club plenty of reasons to roar.
Plenty Valley won the toss and took the batting initiative on a batting-friendly day at Greaves Reserve. The visitors could not capitalise on the conditions as Sharomi Wijeratne (3/11), Alana King (2/14) and Emma Gallagher (1/30) claimed the early scalps.The Plenty Valley fight back came from captain Kirsty Lamb (25) to give the visitors something tangible to defend, but after she dollied a caught-and-bowled back to King, the rest of the order failed to put up a struggle.
One of the up-and-coming, Lions’ bowler Courtney Neale (2/6), finished the job with her two overs to give Dandenong 87 to chase.
The next young Lion to stand tall was Chelsea Moscript (47 not out), who anchored the innings from the top of the order as wicket fell about her. The gutsy Gippslander saw off the Plenty Valley attack, which claimed the early wickets of Erica Kershaw (2) and Alana King (0). With Dandenong on the ropes, Moscript held on strongly to see off the onslaught and capitalise on two partnerships with Shelly Hart (15) and Australian Test mainstay Sarah Elliott (26 not out). While the half-century went begging, it is Moscript’s highest score in Premier Cricket first grade and will stand as proof of her capabilities when the VicSpirit come knocking.
The Lions’ seconds weren’t as victorious as the firsts, forced instead to share the points with Plenty Valley as the sides tied on 101 runs apiece after their Twenty20. Captain Carin Eastburn (47 not out) guided the run-chase alongside Naomi Fullwood (24) but couldn’t find that extra run needed to take the triumph.
Fourth placed Dandenong will host Essendon Maribyrnong Park in a one-dayer this Saturday from 11am.
In other Dandenong WCC news, any girls from 11-15 years old who want to play cricket this season are encouraged to contact Emma Gallagher at dandenongwomenscc@gmail.com for more information on joining the newly formed DDCA under-13 team.
