Makinley Blows them away on opening day of U18 State Championships

Mallee Murray’s second T20 of the day was against North Metro and was the highlight of the ten games. The opening pair of Makinley Blows and Annabel Martin carried their bats after a 240-run partnership. Blows made an impressive 152* a score which included no fewer than 27 fours and a six while Martin made 48* and struck six fours. When it came to bowling it was Georgia Andriske who picked up two wickets for eight runs in a single over and Rhiann O’Donnell who took one for three from her four overs who were the pick of the bowlers as they won by 118 runs. Mallee Murray also won their opening fixture which was against South East Metro after restricting them to 2-74 from their 20 overs after some economical bowling from O’Donnell and Blows who picked up one for seven and one for four from their four overs respectively. The coach retired both Blows (54) and Martin (14) who opened the batting and secured a 10-wicket win for the side.

East Metro are second on the table after wins against South East Country and Northern Rivers. Madeline Wright top scored with the bat making 32 which saw East Metro post 4-85 from their 20 overs. However, it was the bowlers and tight fielding which saw them restrict South East Country to 8-76 and win by two wickets as Tansi Price took two wickets for 16 runs and Wright took two for eight. In their second match, against Northern Rivers, Wright made an unbeaten 73 from 60 deliveries which included 11 fours. She shared a 125-run partnership with Zoe Griffiths (53 from 44) and then a 51-run stand with Price (19) as East Metro posted 2-176 from their 20 overs. Lani Dejong, Alyce Collett and Price finished with two wickets apiece as East Metro dismissed Northern Rivers for 93 after 19 overs, recording an 83-run win.

North East Country began their campaign with a 19-run win over Gippsland Pride. Tahliah Footman top scored with 32 and Lucy Conn scored a quick 28 which included six fours as they posted 4-130 from their 20 overs. In reply Nicole Faltum made an unbeaten 49 which included six fours and shared a 42-run unbeaten sixth wicket partnership with Rachel Fink (17*).

Northern Rivers won their first match following a 132-run opening partnership between Hope Irvine (70) and Teagan Brett who finished unbeaten on 41 as the team posted 2-155 from their 20 overs. Their attack then restricted Western Waves to 2-137 resulting in an 18-run win despite Claire Nolte recording a half-century.

Central Highlands began the championship with a 23-run win over North Metro. Jacinta Goodger-Chandler top-scored with an unbeaten 38 as they finished on 4-126 from their 20 overs. Leah Hayes was pick of the bowlers with two wickets for 11 and Tegan Jenkin took two for 33 as they kept North Metro to 8-103.

South East Metro claimed their first win after following a 101-run unbeaten second wicket stand from Annabel Sutherland (58) and Isabella Weber (35) as they made 1-120 from their 20 overs. They then dismissed North East Country for 60 inside 18 overs, recording a 60-run win. Weber picked up four wickets for just eight runs, opening bowler Maggie McPhee took three for 12, Erika Quinn took two for 14 and Sarah Combridge took the final wicket as her five deliveries went for a single.

South East Country had a good second match as they dismissed Gippsland Pride for just 46 inside 16 overs. Amy Yates took two for 14 and Ally Johnson picked up two for 11 while Courtney Neale, Shalee Clydesdale, Jordan Watson and Julie Fearns took one apiece. South East Country batted through their overs and finished on 6-115.

There was one tied match which was between Central Highlands and Western Waves. Central Highlands won the toss and put the Western Waves in to bat who posted 9-118 following a knock of 39 from their captain Nolte. In reply Central Highlands had an opening stand of 50 between Sophie Van De Heuvel and Emma Lynch. Their number three, Goodger-Chandler, was their standout batsman who was run out for 40 on the final delivery of the match.

The Championships continues today as the teams play their first 40-over fixtures.