Under-15s start with thrilling victory

31 from skipper Annabel Sutherland helped Victoria post 103 before a team effort with the ball restricted the opposition to 96.

Victoria won the toss and elected to bat, with some rain around, the match was reduced to 36 overs each.

An early wicket fell with the score on just three as Sophie Van De Heuvel was bowled without scoring by their opening fast-bowler Stella Campbell.

This wicket brought captain Sutherland to the crease alongside opener Clementine Ryan-Fuller.

The pair shared a 27-run partnership before Ryan-Fuller was run out by Stephanie Marsh for 10.

Plenty Valley’s, Teagan Brett, came in at four which saw another good stand for Victoria.

The batters put on 33 before Brett was out caught and bowled to wrist-spinner Mariam Bank for 17, an innings which included three fours.

Alana D’Aquino then joined Sutherland before she was out lbw to Hannah Darlington for eight with the score on 74.

Port Fairy CC and Prahran CC’s Rosie Wynd came in to bat at six and saw out the innings with Sutherland, sharing a 29-run partnership.

Victoria made 103 from their 36 overs with Sutherland 31* and Wynd 15*.

Van De Heuvel and Bella Gietzmann opened the attack for Victoria in search of an early breakthrough.

Box Hill’s Gietzmann was successful as she bowled Bethany Jenkins for one with the score on four.

NSW batsman Isabelle Afaras and Darlington shared a 46-run partnership, the highest of the match, as they looked to guide their team towards victory.

It was Sutherland who broke the stand as she bowled Darlington for 24.

Olivia Porter joined Afaras at the crease and the pair put on 15 before Porter was caught by Wynd off the bowling of medium-pacer Clementine Ryan-Fuller for eight.

It was this wicket that led the collapse as four more fell for just five runs, putting the win within Victoria’s grasp.

Sutherland picked up the 10^th wicket as Campbell was bowled for four with the score on 96.

This saw Victoria secure a seven-run win in their first match of the Championships.

Ryan-Fuller finished a successful four overs with figures of 3-7, while Sutherland took 3-26.

Gietzmann (2-11) and Wynd (2-12) were also very economical and ensured the bowling attack continued to apply pressure on the NSW’s batters.

Victoria are third on the ladder and continue their campaign today against South Australia who lost their first match and sit fifth in the ladder.