Southern Scorpions out for maiden CSBP senior women’s country week cricket title, ready to take on old foes

Albany’s Southern Scorpions will take a squad of 11 to Perth for the CSBP senior women’s country week over the long weekend, out to claim their first A-section country week cricket title. Southern Scorpions captain Holly Pearce said the women’s A-section side was welcoming some new blood this year, but would draw on the strength of experienced country week campaigners. “We do have quite a few new faces, especially from Albany, so it’s really good to see that women’s cricket is growing down here,” she said. “Country week is always a great opportunity for the girls to go up to Perth and just get that experience playing against other women. “Most of us have played together or against each other over the last few years, so we all get to go up there and have a blast with each other and just have a chat after the game, and that’s really what it’s all about.” The Scorpions finished third on the ladder in last year’s competition, losing to front-runners Bunbury Red in round four but taking down Geraldton Blue in the final round. However, the final victory proved too little too late, and it was Bunbury Red and Geraldton Blue who faced off in the grand final. Geraldton Blue claimed the title, with a strong bowling contingent slowing Bunbury Red’s chase, coming out after 20 overs only eight runs ahead. While the 2025 premiers will hope to continue their reign, Pearce said the Great Southern girls would be doing their best to make the grand final. “Bunbury and Geraldton have been been our top two teams that we’ve always tried to pass and have been real competitive against each other, so it’ll be good to play against both of them again this year and see what we can get,” she said. “It’s hard to pick standout players in this squad because we all perform so differently to each other, and we all have our own unique attributes for the team. “I think all the girls will have their moment where they are able to bring something really exciting. “It’s a great side and it will be awesome to see how everyone performs over the weekend.” The Scorpions will face their two toughest opponents in the first three rounds of competition, coming up against Bunbury Red in the first round and then Geraldton Blue in round three after a bye. All games will be played at the Stan Twight Reserve in Rockingham, with round one kicking off on Saturday and the grand final played on Monday.