CASTERTON District hosted Macarthur Red in a Hamilton and District Women’s Cricket Association top three clash at Island Park on Friday night.
The Maroons batted first after losing the toss and Alyssa Humphries and Claire Widdicombe impressed at the top of the order, both retiring on 35.
Not to be outdone, Kate Tomkins continued the trend with 35-retired also, while Scarlett Jarrad (24-not-out) and Kelli Foster (three-not-out) guided the home team to 0-139 from its 16 overs.
With a big total to chase, Red’s innings started in the worst possible way, losing Leah Drendel and Nicole Hunt for first-ball ducks, while Jacqui Robinson and Emily Pitts tried to get the scoreboard back on track.
Robinson got to 36-retired, while Pitts’ 31-not-out wasn’t enough to get the visitors to the target, as Red was restricted to 3-102 from its 16 overs.
Caeleigh Humphries was the standout bowler for Casterton District, grabbing two wickets.
Macarthur Blue d. Pigeon Ponds
PIGEON Ponds made the long trek south to Macarthur Recreation Reserve to take on the ladder leaders.
The home side won the toss and sent Ponds to the crease first with Paige Murrell and Mareeta Cox opening the innings with bat in hand.
The pair combined for 26 before Murrell chipped it to Nat McGregor on 20, giving Laura Addinsall her first wicket of the day.
Cox pushed on and retired on 38, while McGregor’s caught and bowled effort saw the back of Hayley Boxall on 17.
Kathryn Vine’s 17-not-out helped push Ponds’ total up to 2-97 after 16 overs.
Addinsall and Ruby Lang got Blue’s run chase off to a fast start, finding the boundary regularly.
Lang retired on 36, while Addinsall’s 35-retired set up a strong foundation for the home team.
Sarah Cassidy’s 11 and McGregor’s 14-not-out ensured the home team got the win, closing its innings on 1-110.
Hamilton d. Byaduk
THE Blues picked up a win against the Ducks at Christie Oval in a big boost for Hamilton as the Christmas break approaches.
The visitors won the toss and bowled first, as Ros Thatcher and Elly Polonowita opened the innings for Byaduk.
Thatcher raced to 38-retired from 32 balls, while Polonowita was run out for 15 by Hayley Sherlock.
Emily Huglin’s 20-not-out helped the home team to 3-102 after 16 overs.
Hamilton’s run chase started positively, as Sherlock smashed nine boundaries to retire on 38 from just 18 balls, while Philippa Murrie retired on 36 with plenty of the innings still left for the visitors.
Mikaylah Sharrock fell to Thatcher for 34, while Elle Guthrie’s 21-not-out ensured the Blues collected a comfortable win, reaching 1-146.
St Andrew’s d. Tarrington
A STUNNING batting display from the Drews set up their first win of the season, accounting for the Tigers at KFC Oval.
The Tigers won the toss and bowled first, but Bec van Kalken anchored the innings with 38-retired at the top of the order.
Casey Pye chipped in with 18, while Cate McDonald’s run-a-ball unbeaten 34 and Leesa Logan’s 18-not-out pushed the Drews’ total up to 1-144.
Kiara Rook was the lone wicket-taker for Tarrington.
Aisha Hendriks continued her strong batting form, setting a strong foundation for the Tigers with a 28-ball 38-retired effort.
Megan Tonissen chipped in with 32-not-out, but the scoring rate was slower and Kat Pickett’s unbeaten 10 meant the visitors only got to 0-103 at stumps.
