Tara Murray
It’s been several seasons in the making, but Caroline Springs women’s cricket side finally has a premiership.
After making several grand finals including the Victorian Turf Cricket Association final last season, it was finally the Falcons turn.
Facing Westmeadows for a second straight season in the grand final, the Falcons put out a strong performance with the bat and then backed it up with the ball to come away with a convincing win on Sunday.
The Falcons made 5-141 off their 20 overs with Caitlin Pretty continuing her good form. Pretty finished 90 not out, including hitting a number of late sixes.
The Warriors lost an early wicket and before losing 3-1 to crumble to 4-26. The Warriors never recovered and were restricted to 9-76.
Pretty topped off her game with 3-12 off three overs, while Myyen Au and Hannah Herring took two wickets each.
Falcons captain Alisha Fowler was thrilled after the game.
“It’s pretty amazing,” she said.
“It’s been a lot of hard work and we’ve been through a few grand final losses. I’m really stoked for all the girls and it’s well deserved. “
Fowler said the experience of playing Westmeadows in the past had worked in their favour and they were confident in their game plan.
She said after hoping to make 120 midway through their innings, she thought 141 was plenty of runs and it proved to be.
Then with the ball, early wickets were the key.
“We knew we had to get their first four or five out pretty cheaply, which we did,” she said.
“The bowling was really good today and the fielding was really good
“Quick wickets definitely helps, to be 1-25 and then be 4-26 it’s definitely a bonus, the girls bowled phenomenally.”
Not surprising Pretty was named player of the match for the performance. She would also be favourite to take out the season awards, having made more than 600 runs for the season.
Her season included three 100s and four 50s from 10 matches.
Fowler was lost for words on how to describe Pretty’s performance this season.
“I told her I love her today,” she said. “There’s nothing to say, she’s got such natural ability, everything she does.
“It’s just ridiculous, I was hoping for 50 and she gave me 90, I’ll take that every day of the week. I’m so happy for her, well deserved season.
For many of the girls it’s a second premiership in a matter of months, having helped Caroline Springs Football Club break through after past grand final heartache.
While celebrations are the plans for the near future, the Falcons are already starting to think of beyond this season.
“We’re looking to build, we would really like two sides,” Fowler said. “We’ll look to build on that throughout the off season.”
