The Under-18 National Championships enjoyed a full day’s play on Sunday as the teams backed up with another round of T20 games in the afternoon.
Queensland scored a narrow five-run victory over South Australia to remain at the top of the Championship table.
After winning the toss and electing to bat Queensland strung together a few consecutive partnerships to post a total of 6-94 off their 20 overs. Beth Mooney (30) capped off her impressive day with the bat, finishing as Queensland’s leading run-scorer for the match.
South Australian spin bowler Amanda-Jade Wellington, who was the Under-15 Player of the Championship, opened the bowling for her side and finished with impressive figures of 2-10, followed closely by Jade Conlon (2-12).
South Australia lost a few early wickets and fell to 2-13. Some clean hitting from Samantha Betts (17) helped them inch closer to Queensland’s total but they fell just short of victory, finishing all out for 89 in the 20th over. Queensland’s Jemma Barsby (3-10) continued her good form this Championship, while Grace McKellar (2-7) returned tidy figures.
Victoria remain in the mix for the title following an 18-run win over Western Australia.
A consistent effort across the Victorian batting line-up saw them post a defendable total of 5-115 off their 20 overs. Kate Dempsey (23) and Teagan Parker (21) were the stand-outs at the crease. Western Australian pace bowler Heather Graham (2-11) spearheaded the attack, while Beth Wimbush (1-21) also contributed well.
In reply Western Australia lost an early wicket to fall to 1-9, before a 54-run partnership between Chloe Piparo (27) and Megan Banting (20) helped get their innings back on track. A string of quick wickets in the middle of their innings saw Western Australia fall just short of the total set by Victoria, finishing all out for 97 in the 19th over. Julia Crockett-Grills (4-13) carried her impressive form right through the day, which saw her finish with figures of 8-30 across the two T20 matches. Alana King (2-18) added a further two wickets, as she did in the morning match.
The ACT continued their good form of the day to score a convincing seven-wicket win over Tasmania.
In what was Tasmania’s most impressive batting display of the Championship, they posted a total of 5-105 off their 20 overs. The total was built around a 73-run fifth-wicket partnership between Emma Humphries (27) and Kelsie Minty (42 not out). ACT bowler Melissa Norup (2-13) continued her good form of the Championship, while Anthea Collins (1-14) also finished with impressive figures.
A 50-run third-wicket partnership between Philippa Taylor (55 not out) and Zoe Cooke (20) helped the ACT cruise to a comfortable victory, reaching 3-106 in the 18th over. Meg Phillips (2-20) was the only multiple wicket-taker for Tasmania.
New South Wales had the bye in Round 6 and will face the ACT when the competition returns to the 50-over format in Round 7.
MyCricket will host all scorecards and stats for the Under-18 National Championship. Simply select the Championship of choice from the drop down menu. Results will be uploaded at the end of play each day.
