Echuca too strong for Cooma

Batting first, openers Gillian Noelker and Maisy Byrne gave Echuca the perfect start, adding 37 for the first wicket before Byrne (15) was run out on the ball that would have caused her retirement.

Captain Jessica Cox entered at four, combining with Noelker until the latter’s retirement on 21.

Cox kept the scoreboard moving, progressing at quicker than a run a ball, while Matilda Smith was stable at the other end, contributing 12.

Eventually retiring on 38 from her 30 balls, Cox got her side well past the 100 mark, the middle order chipping in as Echuca posted 3-124 from its 20 overs.

Cathy Dervish (1-9) and Evie Harman (1-18) both picked up wickets for Cooma.

The Cooma batting order did well to preserve their wickets but Echuca’s line and length was too tight for them to get the ball away.

The top three of Ruby Harman, Dervish, and Jen Drew all stuck around for more than 20 deliveries, but were unable to crack double figures.

Meanwhile the Echuca attack put in a miserly performance, giving up just over two an over as Cooma batted out the 20 overs at 5-41.

Noelker, Byrne, Marli Hollamby and Zoe Cook took a wicket each, Byrne the most economical of the wicket-takers, going for just four from her three overs.

Echuca is in fifth on the league table, the lowest of the five sides with realistic finals hopes at this stage.

The defending champion does hold a game over the top four and should they convert it into a win would move into equal third place.

Bamawm-Lockington United will visit Victoria Park in next week’s fixture.