League’s first class leaders
INJURY may have held back quick bowler Annie-Rose Maloney in her younger years, but it hasn’t stopped her wreaking havoc on the inaugural Barwon Women’s Cricket Competition.
Maloney leads all-comers in the wicket tally and has been more than handy with the bat for St Joseph’s, which sits undefeated on top of the south division ladder.
As with others in the competition, the results have been important for Maloney, but the chance to play with her sister Phoebe has been a highlight for her this year.
With just two rounds to play, these are the players who have dominated with the bat or ball in both the south and north divisions.
(Note: Players who would appear in both batting and bowling have only been limited to one section).
SOUTH BATTING Kelly Williams (East Belmont Deb) 195 runs @ 97.5
Happy to bat in the middle order, Williams has been spectacular so far for East Belmont Deb. Having been moved up and down the order from three to five, Williams wasted no time in making her mark, belting an unbeaten 42 in her first match, against Torquay Black.
Has chipped in with four handy wickets as well.
Chrissy Walker (East Belmont Deb) – 133 runs @ 66.5
Often batting even lower than Williams, Walker started at No.6 before working her way up the order. She opened on Saturday against Torquay Black and belted 42 not out.
Jacqui Johnston (Ocean Grove) – 129 runs (no average)
No team has been able to get through the Ocean Grove skipper, who has retired not out three times and is yet to be dismissed. Her unbeaten 40 against Portarlington set the table for a high-scoring win on Sunday. She has hesitated to bowl herself but a haul of 3-3 against Torquay Gold was a highlight.
Tanya Taylor (Ocean Grove) – 101 runs (no average)
Another unbeaten Grubber,
Taylor has provided valuable support without a huge score of her own. Part of the backbone of a batting line-up that has only lost nine wickets in its five wins.
Eliza Buckley (St Joseph’s) – 98 runs (no average)
The unbeaten Joeys have been so strong in their six games that Buckley has only been called on to bat three times. When the Joeys’ co-captain has wielded the willow, however, she has been brilliant, belting 36 twice and 26 against Portarlington without being dismissed. “She’s embraced her role and made sure she was really welcomed the younger and newer members of the club to cricket,” St Joseph’s coach Paul Rowe said.
BOWLING
Annie-Rose Maloney (St Joseph’s) 9 wickets @ 3.7, 97 runs @ 97
Proving the depth of the Joeys squad, despite averaging nearly 100 with the bat, Maloney has been as important to her team with the ball. Against Highton last Sunday was the only time she has not taken multiple wickets so far in the season. Her best haul was 3-5 against Leopold. “It’s the knowledge and enthusiasm that she imparts on the rest of the team that is fantastic,” Rowe said.
Mikaela Monahan (Torquay Black) 7 wickets @ 16.3, 178
runs @ 178
Torquay Black skipper Monahan has been so consistent that she has ranked second in both batting and bowling. The opener has been extremely consistent with the bat, and an impressive performance against Ocean Grove (30 runs and 3-26) kept her side in it against the undefeated Grubbers.
Carolyn McGann (St Joseph’s) 5 wickets @ 8.6
Despite not getting a chance to bowl her full quota in any match, McGann has struck when she has had the chance in her first summer of cricket. A talented tennis player, taking 2-1 was a highlight against East Belmont Razz.
Bernadette Giblin (Ocean Grove) 5 wickets @ 10.6
A stunning 4-2 in just 1.4 overs against Leopold kicked off Giblin’s season. While wickets have been tougher to find since that Round 1 match, she has been miserly.
Olivia Hoskin (Portarlington) 5 wickets @ 14
It’s been an up and down season for seventh-placed Portarlington, but Hoskin has been impressive throughout. Her bowling has been strong and she also chipped in with 39 against East Belmont Deb. NORTH BATTING
Brooke Gorman (Manifold Heights) 195 runs (no average)
What a season it has been for the Sharks’ batter. She is yet to be dismissed and has left a mark on each match she has played, scoring four 40s. Gorman has also suited up with second cousin Bree for Manifold Heights in GCA2 action.
Rebecca Luppino (Irrewarra) 147 runs @ 147
The Irrewarra opening batter has been a key reason why her side sits on top of the ladder. Consistency has been key for the wicketkeeper-bat, who has only played four matches.
Three scores in the 40s have propelled the Sharks skipper towards the top of the run getters. Gorman has only missed out twice this season and her bowling has been more than handy, highlighted by a 4-10 haul against Ballarat
Rachael Connelly (Irrewarra) 121 runs @ 30
Connelly has contributed in every game for the Redbacks as captain. A well-crafted 46 not out against Geelong West was her best performance. Has also taken four wickets.
Jordyn Stewart (North Geelong) 116 runs @ 58
After a solid start to the summer, Magpies skipper Stewart has really hit form in her past two matches, belting a pair of 40s. With her side in fourth spot, Stewart holds the key in its push for the top two.
BOWLING
Sophie Stewart (Irrewarra) 8 wickets @ 6.5
In tandem with Graham, Stewart has been superb this season. She has taken two wickets on four occasions and has been a rock for skipper Jacinta Langdon to throw the ball to.
Rowena Graham (Irrewarra) 8 wickets @ 8.6
Graham hasn’t been called on to do too much with the bat for top-placed Irrewarra so she has dominated with the ball. A brilliant 4-7 against Lara was the highlight.
Brooke Collins (Geelong West) 7 wickets @ 9.3
Tight bowling has paid off for Collins and West. The wickets have flowed but Collins has been just as valuable, keeping the runs down with an economy rate of 3.8.
Laura Thistlethwaite (Geelong West) 6 wickets @ 10.2
Thistlethwaite’s excellent summer with the ball hasn’t been confined to the women’s league. She picked up 2-35 playing for West against Highton in a one-day match in December. Her batting has been handy for West in the women’s, with 80 runs to complement her bowling.
Sarah Smith (Manifold Heights) 6 wickets @ 11.7
A brilliant haul of 3-9 against Shelford highlighted Smith’s season. Her bowling will be crucial to the Sharks holding onto a top two spot.