Cornwall capture final women's title

Wednesday, 4 April 2012

It was third time lucky for Cornwall as they finally captured some silverware on the last day of the season.

This was Cornwall's third final of the season and with the previous two ending in defeat there was extra incentive for Katie Perkins' side heading into a return match against South East.

South East had captured the Pearl Dawson title by defeating Cornwall convincingly last weekend but the tables were turned in this game thanks to an inspired team performance.

Georgia Guy struck two telling blows with the ball early when SE batted first, dismissing Holly Huddlestone and Megan Tremaine with successive deliveries. Wendy Horneman was next to the crease and, after having top scored last weekend, Cornwall knew her wicket would be crucial, but after just two deliveries she was heading back to the pavilion, run out thanks to an outstanding piece of fielding from the combination of Francesca Wilkinson and Sarah Carnachan.

Arlene Kelly (21 from 30 balls) and Saachi Shahri (12 from 14 balls) helped get the innings back on track but when they were dismissed in quick succession the home side were quickly bundled out for just 72 in the 19th over.

The returning Maddy Green had the best analysis with 3-19 but four of the five bowlers took at least two wickets a piece in an outstanding all round bowling and fielding effort from Cornwall.

Francesca Wilkinson was in no mood to hang around when the reply got underway, racing to 24 from 27 balls. Her opening partner Sarah Carnachan played the anchor role accumulating 28 from 49 balls before her dismissal, leaving Green and Perkins the honour of leading their side over the victory line by eight wickets.

Central West finished the T20 campaign in third position after a thrilling victory over North East.

CW were restricted to 89/7 thanks to some superb bowling from Alice Le Marquand (3-12) but their opponents fell an twelve runs short in reply despite Roz McNeil's (31) best efforts.

It was also finals time in the Premier Reserve/First grade and perhaps unsurprisingly Eden Roskill walked away with the limited overs title completing a double for the season in which they lost only twice in either format.

Mangere Pukapuka were the runners up, as they were in the T20 competition, while Auckland University finished third after defeating Ellerslie last Saturday.

Results - Premier Grade

T20 Championship final: South East 72 (A Kelly 21, S Shahri 12, M Green 3-19, G Guy 2-5, R Cox 2-7, K Patel 2-20) lost to Cornwall 73/2 (S Carnachan 28, F Wilkinson 24, A Eastwood 1-19) by eight wickets to win the T20 championship.

T20 third/fourth place playoff: Central West 89/7 (P Gruber 26, J Veale 22, A Le Marquand 3-12) defeated North East 77/8 (R McNeill 31, S Curtis 3-24) by two runs.

 

Premier Reserve/First Grade Limited Overs Final Round:

Mangere Pukapuka 90 (C Oscar 5-4, K Scott 2-30) lost to Eden Roskill 92/0 (N Van Tillburg 47*, K Stewart 27*) by ten wickets

Auckland University 248/8 (K Gurrey 93, N Reddy 43, P Lawrence 28) defeated Ellerslie 124/9 (G Lord 4-15, R Ellison 2-15, Sh Carr 2-36) by 124 runs

Grafton United defeated Birkenhead City via forfeit

Final Standings

Eden Roskill - Champions
Mangere Pukapuka
Auckland University
Ellerslie
Grafton United
Birenhead City