A Grade Women’s Grand Final - Strathalbyn v Hahndorf

In a grand final rematch Hahndorf batted first but were unable to get anyone on base with Strath’s left fielder Bianca Pash taking two catches and second baser Kathy Pash making the out at first for three up three down. Strath came out with intent and had a safe hit to the outfield by Kim Cutting but she was picked off at second after a fielders choice. An out made at first followed by a walk to K. Pash and a two baser to Gab Martin brought two runs home with Hahndorf’s left fielder Sophie Walton taking a catch for the final out of the innings.

The second dig for Hahndorf was also scoreless with Strath’s centre Lara Tamke taking a catch, a K2 to pitcher Tess Norris and an out made by short stop Cutting at first. Strath needed to add some more runs and did by drawing some errors and a safe hit to the outfield by Georgia Tomkinson and with great base running they brought another two runs home with Hahndorf making an out at home, an out at second and an out at first.

Hahndorf’s third turn at bat only produced two hits with Strath’s pitcher/catcher combo of Norris to Martin making two K2’s and Cutting taking a great line drive catch to hold them scoreless again. Hahndorf returned the favour holding Strath even with some walks gained by some great fielding at third by Eliza Lovelock picking off two runners at home and a K2 to pitcher Lucy Weatherstone.

The fourth produced a safe hit to Mia Oats-Willis and a three baser to Georgia King which brought home three runs with Strath’s Cutting making an out at first, a put out at first by Buttsy Milne and another K2 to Norris. Strath gained some more walks and had a three baser to K. Pash which helped to bring in three runs with Hahndorf’s short stop Breanna Luxon taking a catch and two K2’s to Weatherstone.

Hahndorf had hits to the outfield by Luxon and Megan Williams and with some great base running they added another three runs before Strath could make an out at first and right fielder Tomkinson taking two catches. Some more walks were gained by Strath in the fifth but they could only get one run across the plate with Hahndorf’s Luxon taking another catch, Williams taking a catch and an out made at first ending the innings.

Strath’s defence was great in the sixth allowing only one run home after a two base hit to Williams with K. Pash now at third making two outs at first and Cutting taking another catch. Strath needed to add to their tally to keep themselves in front but they were unable to with Hahndorf’s Luxon making two outs at second base and Weatherstone another K2.

In the seventh and final innings of the game Strath needed to hold Hahndorf but with some walks, a hit to King and two basers to Luxon and Williams they would bring five runs home with Strath’s new pitcher K. Pash making two K2’s and Cutting another catch at short. Strath now needed to bat well and got runners on with Hahndorf making another K2 and an out at home but this was followed by an overthrow error which allowed Strath’s runners to get two home before a catch was taken at third by Keira Trevorrow to end the innings and the game with Strath falling two runs short. Congratulations to both teams in making it to the Grand Final with Hahndorf coming out on top in a three hour marathon game 12 runs to 10 but Strathalbyn look forward to going one better next season.

C Grade Women’s Grand Final - Strathalbyn v Redsox

After finishing fourth after the minor round Strathalbyn worked their way through the finals to take part in the Grand Final against Redsox and batted first. Safe hits to Elise Duffield, Monica Spriggs, Rebecca Sims, Kaylene Hart, a two baser to Amber Crawford and some excellent base running brought home the full ten runs with Redsox making an out at second and second baser Mandy Bottroff making an out at first. Redsox gained some walks, safe hits to Tayla Hardy, Glenys Megson and a two baser to Amelia Rusden which all brought home four runs with Strath’s short stop Annabel McGregor taking a catch, third baser Brydie Spriggs making an out at first and a line drive catch to pitcher Sims.

Redsox defence recovered well in Strath’s second batting dig even with safe hits to B. Spriggs and Crawford and allowed only two runs to cross the plate with short stop Rusden making a tag of the runner and Bottroff again in the action fielding and tagging the runner going to two and quickly throwing to first to also get the batter out for a double play. Strath’s defence started well with a K2 to pitcher/catcher Sims to Crawford followed by a catch taken at third by B. Spriggs before Suvali Sharma had a safe hit, Molly Rusden gained a walk and they were both brought home by a home run to A. Rusden with Strath’s short stop McGregor making the third out at first base to end the innings.

Strath needed to add to their tally to keep their lead defendable but they were unable to with Redsox new pitcher Glenys Megson fielding and making the out at first, left fielder Hardy taking a catch and a K2 holding them scoreless. Strath needed to protect their lead and Redsox needed to bat well and they did with some walks gained, safe hits to Sienna Golder and Bottroff, a two baser to M. Rusden and another home run to A. Rusden they brought home the six runs required to get in front and win the game. Congratulations to both teams on making the Grand Final where the top team after the minor rounds took on the fourth placed team who gave it their best and pushed Redsox all the way finishing the game Redsox 13 to Strathalbyn 12.