Net gains aplenty as female set-up thrives

A DECADE-LONG fight to upgrade the nets at Lethbridge Cricket Club is set to come together as the Rosellas bask in the glow of “the greatest thing that has ever happened to our club”.

The tired nets at Lethbridge Recreation Reserve will be replaced in time for next season, thanks to a grant valued about $120,000 from the Golden Plains council.

The Rosellas boast six sides — two each in male, female and junior competitions.

“It’s been a 10-year saga but we finally got there with three nice big new nets, so that will make things better going forward,” club president Brent Donaldson said.

“We had been saving for quite some time to build them ourselves.”

The club’s numbers have been boosted this summer by the addition of the two sides in the Barwon Women’s Cricket Competition.

Both teams — Lethbridge Green and Lethbridge Gold — played in semi-finals in the competition’s North division, with Gold defeating Lara. Michelle Giles (33) and Chloe Jury (25 not out) were keys to setting a total of 4-132, which proved too much for Lara.

The club will now host the grand final in that division, with home-side Gold to meet Ballarat Navy on Sunday.

Donaldson said the call to open up the club to female sides had been an unabridged success.

“It’s been the greatest thing that has ever happened to our club and I would recommend it to any other club that doesn’t have a ladies set up — they are mad if they don’t,” Donaldson said. “It really is fantastic. They train with us (senior male players) on the Tuesday and Thursday nights and it’s great.”