The Universities Women’s Cricket Club (UWCC) are the 2013/14 Women’s Brewer Shield (U/17) T20 Champions after defeating defending champions Northern District in the Final at Bankstown Oval.
After losing the toss and being forced to field first in the final, it was the Universities opening bowling partnership of Dharshia Srinivas and Nell Gibson that suffocated the Northern Districts top order with a nagging line and length.
Northern District wickets fell consistently thanks to some remarkable fielding (leading to three run-outs) and consistent bowling. Gibson (1-7 off 3), Jade Christie (2-10 off 3) and Player of the Match Megan Jones (3-8 off 3) were the pick of the bowlers, as UWCC restricted their opposition to 9-55 from their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing a modest score, Serena Liu (11) and Jade Christie (9) took their time to settle in, before exploding in the fifth and sixth over (hitting 21 runs in two overs) before their partnership was broken.
Anastasia Sims (11 not out) and Maddy Darke (10 not out) continued the chase and secured the win and trophy in the 10th over.
Earlier in the day, Universities won their way through to the final thanks to a five wicket victory over Campbelltown-Camden at Grahame Thomas Oval.
Universities lost the toss and Campbelltown elected to bat. Nerves played a part with both teams, as the usually accurate Universities bowling line-up initially looked shaky – giving away a number of sundries in the process.
With Campbelltown sitting comfortable at 2/55 off 11 overs, a brilliant direct hit run out by Olivia Porter from the outfield lifted the spirits and focus of the Universities team. Universities then went on to collect another two run outs and bowl Campbelltown out for 89 in the 20th over.
Making light work of the Campbelltown bowling attack, Universities openers Serena Liu (30 not out) and Jade Christie went about scoring at a run rate of five an over before the partnership was broken in the fifth over for 26. A mix up at the non-strikers end saw another Universities wicket fall soon after. Maddy Darke (30) came to the crease – and together with Liu – they wrestled the momentum back for the Universities side. The winning runs were struck in the 17th over.
Next door at Bankstown Oval, Northern District accounted for Bankstown Sports by 24 runs in the other Women’s Brewer Shield T20 semi-final.
The Universities Brewer Shield T20 team was: Dharshia Srinivas (C), Serena Liu (VC), Amy McKay, Sam Robinson, Jade Christie, Nell Gibson, Zoe Benjamin, Megan Jones, Anastasia Sims, Olivia Porter, Maddy Darke and Julia Manchester.
Match Scores – Brewer Shield T20
Semi Finals
Universities 5-90 (S Liu 30, M Darke 30) defeated Campbelltown-Camden 89 (Y Polsen 15, S Heath 15)
Northern District 4-113 (T Kavanagh 30, J Chandler 31) defeated Bankstown Sports 8-89 (K Barry 30)
Final
Universities 2-56 (A Sims 11 not out, S Liu 11) defeated Northern District 55 (M Jones 3-8)
