Phillips phenomenal for Highlands

The Central Highlands have taken out the Under 14 VicSpirit Pathway Championships after Sarah Phillips bowled her side to victory in the finals at Fairbairn Park yesterday.

As soon as the Highlands took to the field in their semi-final against the Western Waves in the morning, they were ruthless.

Choney Meemusour (2-7) led the way in the Highlands’ attack, fighting hard with the ball to snare the first two wickets, before Bianca Mackay (2-5) joined the party by pocketing the next two.

The Waves’ order continued to collapse and the Highlands’ path into the Final was cemented as Sarah Phillips tore through the batting order with a stunning 3-3 to dismiss her opponents for 36.

The North East Knights secured their place in the final against the Highlands after a 35-run haul from Maddison Baird helped the Knights defeat the South East Sharks in a nail bitter.

Impressive performances by Dayna Smith, who collected 3-9 and Jordan Watters, who hammered 31, saw the Sharks come within striking distance but despite a fighting effort, the Highlands clinched a 7-run win.

In the afternoon, Phillips’ reign continued into the final, stepping up to the crease in style to claim 4-4 off five overs.

While the Highlands’ showed no mercy, their opponents’ batting order continued to collapse and as Bianca Mackay notched 2-16, the Knights slumped to 8-60.

Responding to the target with ease, Highlands’ Imogen Barlow (15) and Choney Meemusour (17*) both registered double fingers before Tahlia Simpson fought back pocketing 2-9.

However the 16th over saw the Highlands pass their target and claim triumph over the defending champions.

In a decider, Alyssa Humphries’ (48*) near half century guided the Waves to third place on the ladder as they clinched a 20-run win over the Sharks despite the Sharks’ Eloise Allen-Burns snagging 4-2.