Graham Croker
Universities Women’s Cricket Club member Alex Blackwell scored a thrilling century to lead NSW Breakers to an eight-wicket win over the ACT Meteors at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on Saturday.
Chasing 215 to win the 50-over Women’s National Cricket League fixture, NSW reached the target in the 34th over with opener Blackwell unbeaten on 121 off just 107 balls. She reached triple figures off 88 deliveries.
Blackwell and opening partner Leah Poulton (42) put on 99 for the first wicket before twin sister, Alex Blackwell (27) joined her as she posted her third century for NSW.
Thanks to Blackwell’s quick-fire ton, which included 14 fours and a six, NSW earned a bonus point.
NSW captain, Lisa Sthalekar, a Universities team-mate of the Blackwells, won the toss and sent the ACT in on a good batting wicket.
After Ellyse Perry picked up the early wicket of Leonie put on 137 runs for the second wicket before Wright was caught and bowled by Angela Reakes for 70.
Reakes then picked up the wickets of Sara Hungerford (6) and Lisa Kuschert (0) and when Sthalekar had Britt caught in the deep by Perry for 78, the Breakers were back in control. ACT was eventually bowled out in the 50th over for 214.
Reakes finished with 3-43 from eight overs. Perry, who also studies at Sydney University, took 3-30, while Erin Osborne (2-34) and Sthalekar (1-43) also shared in the wickets.
The ACT Meteors returned serve in Sunday’s fixture, also played at Manuka Oval.
After winning the toss and batting, NSW were all out for 175 in the 41st over. Skipper Sthalekar led from the front and topscored with 48.
The hosts replied with 6-176, with Sthalekar again in the thick of the action with 2-27.
Meanwhile, Universities missed their state players in the Sydney Grade competition at the weekend and Bankstown took advantage with a seven wicket win in First Grade at Bankstown Oval.
The hosts dismissed Universities for 122 and replied with 3-123 to take the Round 4 points.
Scoreboard:
Women’s Sydney competition – Round 4
First Grade: Bankstown 3-123 (Carly Ryan 49 not out, Asha Smith 26; R. Still 1-8, F. Wunsch 1-17) d Universities 122 (A. Parkin 34 not out, E. Meyer 24; Belinda Allard 3-25, Rhiannon Dick 2-23) by seven wickets at Bankstown Oval.
Second Grade: Campbelltown-Camden 6-115 (A. Collins 30 not out, R. Miller 20; C. Hodgkinson 2-13, T. Seymour 1-17) d Universities 113 (A. Anderson 31, S. Tannock 19 not out; K. Perry 3-14, S. Daffara 2-13) by four wickets.
Women’s National League (50 overs)
NSW 2-217 off 34 overs (Alex Blackwell 121 not out, Kate Blackwell 27) d ACT Meteors 214 of 50 overs (Lisa Sthalekar 1-43) by eighth wickets at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on Saturday.
ACT Meteors 6-176 off 47.3 overs (Lisa Sthalekar 2-27) d NSW 175 off 41.4 overs (Lisa Sthalekar 48) by four wickets at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on Sunday.
