Hunter guides Dandenong to premiership

Hunter collected 4-48 from 10 overs as the Lions restricted Box Hill to 8-191 before posting a crucial 48 (73) as the premiers chased down the target for the loss of five wickets and with 19 deliveries remaining.

VicSpirit supermum Sarah Elliott again showed her class with an unbeaten 73 (90) as the Lions notched their first title since 2008.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Mustangs were dealt a huge blow early when WNCL Player of the Season Meg Lanning was dismissed for six by Dandenong opener Emma Gallagher.

Victorian young gun Kate Dempsey played a brilliant innings that shifted the momentum back in Box Hill’s favour but three quick wickets from Hunter again put Dandenong on top when the Mustangs were 8-134 in the 43^rd over.

Victorian under-18 captain Sarah Chancellor-Goddard (34) and Casey Hawley (19*) combined for a quick-fire 57-run partnership that gave the Mustangs some hope.

That hope grew after the Lions lost three early wickets, including VicSpirit one-day captain Kelly Applebee, before they had passed 50.

Elliott and Hunter then set about steadying the innings and notched an 81-run fourth-wicket stand that put the Lions on top.

The dismissals of Hunter and Alana King tightened the match again before Elliott and Belinda de Feyter (25*) got Dandenong over the line with 19 balls remaining.

To see a full scorecard from the Esstelle Premier Firsts Final, click here.