Deb tames Razz to claim Lions’ share of the bragging rights
THERE was plenty of banter in the lead-up.
But the talk on the pitch was tame as East Belmont Cricket Club created another slice of history on Sunday.
With the Lions’ two senior women’s teams going head to head at Winter Reserve, there was plenty on the line.
That said, it was all “subdued”, according to East Belmont skipper Ash Grinter, as official bragging rights went to East Belmont Deb.
“I was expecting it to get a bit feisty, but it was played in a really nice spirit,” Grinter said.
It was a momentous occasion for the proud club, with the two teams honouring stalwarts Deb Scannell and Renee
Fiolet in a pre-match presentation. “It was incredible,” Grinter said of the match.
“Prior to the game the players were introduced to both Razz (Fiolet) and Deb (Scannell). They were aware of the significance behind naming the two teams, but hadn’t perhaps met the two of them, so it was a great chance to educate everyone on the contributions they have made to the club over the years.
“They have both been longserving committee members, they’re both active members for over 10 years. Razz, in particular, is one of my good friends and it is a privilege for me to captain her side.’’
In the end, East Belmont Deb claimed the honours in emphatic fashion, outclassing East Belmont Razz by 86 runs.
Kelly Williams made 30 and Rebecca Farey 22 as Deb posted 5-165 before restricting Razz to 4-79.
“It was a fairly comprehensive win,” Grinter said.
“They have been blessed with a couple of handy pickups coming into the start of the season in Bec Farey heading up the attack in both batting and bowling.
“She previously played in the East Belmont cap 20 years ago when the club first had a women’s team back in the 90s, so it was really cool for her to come back.
“And the captain of East Belmont Deb is Lori Lee, who is our cap No.1 from that same side because she opened the batting back then as a young teenager.
“They have also been able to recruit some softballers who have come together and they already have that hand-eye coordination and they’re quite good fielders. They will be a tough team to be for anyone.”
Code-hoppers Williams, Kristen Long, Simone Libera and sisters Rebecca and Ellen Hickey have bolstered the Deb outfit after crossing from softball, making the side a real contender.
“I think they will be hard to beat for anyone,” Grinter said.
In other South Conference matches, St Joseph’s (1-145) defeated Portarlington (5-89) and Ocean Grove (0-160) toppled Torquay Gold (8-68). There was no result in the Leopold-Highton Durran game. All North Conference games were abandoned due to the weather.