Southern Districts’ women’s teams had a great day out on Sunday in the SACA Premier Cricket T20 competition with the first grade winning both games of their double header at Kensington and the second grade winning their third game from as many starts to remain undefeated. 

The first grade played their opening game of the double header against previously undefeated West Torrens and came away with an excellent six-wicket victory with 18 balls to spare. After winning the toss and sending the Eagles in, the Stingrays got off to a great start with Callie Wilson (1/20) getting a wicket in the first over. West Torrens steadied to move their score along to 1/29 before a dramatic collapse saw them lose 9/48 to be bowled out for just 77 after 18 overs. Kelly Armstrong (3/19), Narelle Maiolo (2/0), Hannah Sampson (2/11) and Jess O’Reilly (2/13) were the multiple wicket takers for the Stingrays. Amy Peterson pulled off the ‘catch of the day’ at backward point to dismiss the dangerous Ellie Falconer.

Maiolo (10) opened the batting and continued her good form and despite falling to 2/10, Southern Districts were untroubled in reaching the target with Hannah Sampson (31 not out from 33 balls) and Jess O’Reilly (15 not out from 18 balls) getting the Stingrays home for their first win of the season.

In the afternoon game the Stingrays took on Sturt and after being sent in, powered their way to 7/132, their best score for a couple of seasons. After slipping to 2/13, Jess O’Reilly (21 off 23 balls) and Ella Willson (50 off 55 balls) steadied the innings with a 48-run stand from just eight overs. It was Wilson’s first half century for the Stingrays and also included her first six! Hannah Armstrong contributed a hard-hitting 25 from just 18 balls (also with her first maximum!) and with some big overs at the back end of the innings, including 17 off the 12th over, the Stingrays had a good total to defend.

Sturt started well with 32 runs in the opening six overs before a run-out and then two wickets in three balls for Jess O’Reilly (2/14) which swung the game back in the Stingrays favour with the Blues at 3/41. Wickets continued to fall steadily as the Stingrays turned the screws with Sturt eventually falling 43 runs short on 9/89. Narelle Maiolo added 2/8 to her two wickets in the early game while Gemma Kennedy and Kelly Armstrong picked up a wicket each. Amelia Rault with 28 top scored for the Blues and she was supported by Dani Reid who scored 19.

The second grade continued their undefeated start to the season with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sturt at Bice Oval. The win was set-up with a tight bowling effort backed up by great pressure in the field which led to two run-outs as Sturt were kept to just 7/46 from their 20 overs. The wickets were shared around with Caitlin Seccafien snaring 2/6 from three overs. Febi Marshall (1/3), Alicia Holt (1/8) and Cassidy Perkins (1/11 on debut) all took a wicket each. Sheridan Howell got the Stingrays off to a good start with 23 from 30 balls and it was left to the debutant Cassidy Perkins (9 not out) to have the honour of hitting the winning runs as the target was reached in just 13 overs.

Next week the first grade take on Northern Districts at Park 25 (Oval 2 - 1.40pm start) while the second grade make the long trek North and also play Northern Districts (1.00pm start).