Five-fa taken: Wanderers power to fifth straight Young Motors T20 Women’s cricket title against Sporties

Wanderers have claimed their fifth successive Young Motors Women’s T20 cricket title with a resounding seven-wicket win over Sporties at Wonthella on Saturday night. They outgunned Sporties with six and a half overs to spare, handing Sporties their sixth grand final loss on the trot. Speaking post match, captain Olivia Bidwell said was “stoked” with her team’s achievement. “We had such a stellar season and it was really good to finish it the way that we know we could,” she said. “I’m so incredibly proud of my team. They all performed to the best of their abilities and we really knocked their socks off. I’m so happy right now.” Sporties captain Jo Walker won the toss and chose to bat in the cool, breezy conditions, with her side making 9-54 in the allotted 20 overs. Stacey Jerrard (15) top-scored but could not break the shackles. Ashlyn Thompson (3-9) and Abby Green made inroads with Thompson bowling opener Dayna Cooper, while Jess Wake was brilliantly held by Wanderers captain Olivia Bidwell off Green. Shyanne Thomas-Mirrielees (11 from 17) came in with intent to find gaps but she did not get the boundaries needed, as she added a quick-fire 17 runs with Jerrard. A slow outfield didn’t help, so Sporties had to take risks with their running between the wickets. This resulted in a costly run out of Thomas-Mirrielees from Green’s throw to Layne Gillingham. Tia Hatch was bowled by Bidwell, followed by Sporties’ last hope, Belinda Burrows, brilliantly run out by a direct hit. Bidwell and sister Charli Bidwell, as ever reliable with the gloves, combined for two more run outs. Kasey Maynard and Meg Spalding also bowled well while Thompson was recalled and took two more wickets. Bidwell praised her side’s bowling, declaring it was the best it had been all season. “Feeling really confident on the field made a difference and having them set such a low tally kind of helped with our positive mindset, knowing we can make those runs,” she said. In the chase, Wanderers opened with Green (16 not out), content to be the anchor, and Thompson (11). They had put on 23 runs when Thompson was superbly caught by a running Tegan Brooks off Walker (2-13). Spalding (15) hit the game’s only four before she was caught overhead by Cooper while Olivia Bidwell made a rare duck thanks to an excellent Thomas-Mirrielees grab off Hatch. Wanderers won soon after, with Charli Bidwell hitting the winning run. Olivia Bidwell was named best player and graciously said Wanderers’ one-run win over Sporties in their previous game was evidence of Sporties’ skills. She said the side’s key to success was maintaining a core group of players throughout the years to build a winning culture. “I think more than 50 per cent of our team have played in every single one of those five grand finals,” she said. “That’s just experience in cricket and experience in grand finals that you’re just not going to find anywhere else.”