Box Hill goes back-to-back

Having won the toss and electing to bat, Box Hill openers Meg Lanning and Rebecca Carter, made their intentions clear with a text book cover drive from Carter releasing the pressure being applied from EMP’s opening bowlers.

Carter and Lanning batted beautifully for the Mustangs, taking the score past 100 with some elegant deft strokes, combined with brute force.

EMP got the breakthrough with Box Hill’s score on 130 as Carter was dismissed for a well compiled 64.

The opening partnership set a wonderful platform for the Mustangs to launch from in the remaining overs.

Soon after, the big wicket of Lanning (82) gave EMP hope of being able to restrict Box Hill in the latter part of their allotted overs.

However, the Mustangs’ all-rounder Cassie Brock kept the scoreboard ticking, smashing 72 runs in quick time to take Box Hill to a highly competitive 7-254 from 50 overs.

Wicket-takers for EMP were highlighted by off-spinner Molly Strano (2-50) and seamer Briana Binch (2-58).

In reply, EMP opening duo Nat Schilov and Molly Strano started well with nine runs coming from the opening Anna Lanning over thanks to two superbly struck off drives from the bat of Schilov.

When Strano fell to Brock’s spin attempting to cut for 10, EMP began to lose wickets at regular intervals, losing all momentum in their run chase.

Schilov (32), along with some late striking from the middle to lower order from Jane Neil (22), Kristen Beams (37) and Lou Caluzzi (22) provided the only resistance in the EMP innings which ended with the final wicket falling on 171 in the 44th over.

Two excellent catches along with some brilliant ground fielding and constant pressure from the Mustangs took its toll on the EMP batting line-up who were chasing just over five runs an over from the onset of the chase.

The flight and guile of all-rounder Cassie Brock proved to be handful for the Bombers as she was awarded the Betty Wilson Medal for being the Player of Final after striking 72 from 65 and taking 2-25 from 10 overs.

Betty Wilson’s niece Pam Abley was on hand to present the award named in her late Aunt’s honour while Alan Carter was also presented the Nell McLarty Medal as coach of the premiership team.

Meanwhile in the Women’s Premier Seconds Final, Coburg claimed back-to-back Julie Jones Trophies after defeating Box Hill by nine wickets.

Coburg’s Rebekah Morris was awarded the Player of the Final for her unbeaten 81.

To review a complete match report from the Bartercard Women’s Premier Seconds Final, click here.