The Echuca batters pump each other up after a boundary. Photo: Supplied
Nagambie has become the first side to slow the ascent of champion Echuca this season, defeating the premier by seven wickets in round four of Goulburn Murray Cricket women’s action.
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Travelling to Nagambie Recreation Reserve, Echuca lost the toss and was sent in by the host.
Chloe Moyle started productively at the crease, finding gaps in the ring and hitting the boundary rope several times in the opening overs.
After a blistering start, the loss of opening partner Amy Cooper slowed Moyle’s run rate, and new batter Sophie Good also struggled to score quickly.
Eventually, Moyle retired on 37 from 30 balls, leaving the work to the middle order.
However, the remaining Echuca players found it tough to restart the flow of runs, despite lengthy stays at the crease, and the side could manage only 4-81 from its 20-over innings.
Moyle was by far the standout with the bat, no other Echuca player reaching double figures.
Echuca made an early breakthrough with the ball, with captain Jess Cox removing Amber Langham for just one, but the resulting partnership between Kayla Shepherd and Breanna Davison proved defining.
Shepherd, having starred with 2-7 with the ball, followed up with the bat, making 26 from 27 to progress Nagambie’s total rapidly.
Davison was proving similarly effective at the other end, accruing 22 from 30 before retiring.
By the time the two were separated, Nagambie’s scorecard read 2-57, with more than half its 20 overs remaining.
From there, a cameo of 11 not out from Kelsey Abbott was enough to guide the host over the line in only 13.5 overs, Nagambie losing just three wickets along the way.
Cox (2-19) was the best of the bowlers, while Grace Riddell removed the dangerous Shepherd in an ultimately futile Echuca run defence.
Moama vs Mooroopna
Moama's Mia Arthurson attempts to play through the ball. Photos: Matthew Kappos
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Mooroopna has been one of the more impressive sides in the competition in recent years and it proved no different on Sunday in its visit to Moama Recreation Reserve.
The Cats won the toss and elected to set a total with the bat, with opener Gemma Boyd setting about doing just that.
Mooroopna's Amelia Gall goes back to her starting position.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Her 46 from 30 retired not out set the stage for Mooroopna, with Lauren Hall (23 retired not out) proving a useful deputy.
Once Moama had seen the back of the pair via the ball limit, a brief moment of brilliance from Jordan Dalziel, dismissing Amelia Gall for a golden duck, was followed by another composed Mooroopna partnership.
Moama's Milla Dennis rears back with force.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Kelsey McDonald (15 not out) and Charlie Nicholson (21 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking over as they saw out the innings, with the Cats putting together a strong total of 2-153 from their 20 overs.
In response, Moama struggled to make quick runs, losing wickets along the way in a run chase that never really got started.
Moama's Sadie Laffy skies it towards point.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Frontline bowlers Amani Issell and Amelia Gall struck in the early overs and Lucy Di Fede (3-6) ripped through the tail as Moama limped to 9-89 in its allocated 20 overs.
Beatrix Bray (14 not out from 13 deliveries) provided some late spark for Moama, while Sadie Laffy was resilient, but could score only 12 from her 34 balls.
Mooroopna's Amani Issell turns one over the wrist.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
The Cats are undefeated atop the ladder after four rounds, while also unbeaten Shepparton Youth Club had its scheduled fixture with Kyabram postponed due to issues with the pitch.
Moama’s next assignment is a visit to Cooma on Sunday, while Echuca hosts Mooroopna in a grand final rematch.
Moama's Olivia Davy looks to drive one through the covers.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Mooroopna was up and about after the first wicket.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
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