Victoria downed in U-18 Final

Mirroring last year’s carnival, Victoria upset NSW in the round-robin matches only for the Blues to reverse the result in the tournament decider.

In a match that went down to the wire, NSW lost its eighth wicket with six runs still needed for victory, but got home with 41 balls to spare.

Having won the toss and elected to bat in ideal conditions, Victorian openers Makinley Blows (21) and Bec Carter (17) made a watchful start as the pair put on 37 for the opening wicket.

Blows’ dismissal at the halfway mark of the innings triggered a collapse of 4-13 before Chelsea Moscript (18) and Sarah Chancellor-Goddard (10) steading proceedings.

NSW continued to take wickets at regular intervals with Moscript the last player dismissed in the 48^th over to set the Blues 108 for victory.

In reply, Nicola Hancock (3-28) once again struck with the new ball before Blows took a superb catch at mid-on off Rhiann O’Donnell (2-19) to reduce the Blues to 2-21.

Wickets to Alana King (1-20) and Sophie Molineux (2-17) kept the pressure on their opponents as the Victorians refused to roll over.

With NSW seemingly in control, a further two wickets to Hancock and one to Molineux ensured a nail-biting finish but there would be no fairy tale for the hosts on this occasion.

To see a full scorecard from the Under-18 National Championships Final, click here.