Former Adelaide Striker Hannah Samspon helped Southern District claim women’s Twenty20 title
A former Adelaide Strikers all-rounder helped Southern District pull off an unlikely victory in the grade cricket women’s Twenty20 grand final on Saturday.
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Southern District produced an outstanding all-round game to win the women’s first grade Twenty20 premiership, accounting for Kensington at Karen Rolton Oval last Saturday.
Batting first the Stingrays made 6/128 from their 20 overs to hold out the previously unbeaten Kensington’s 7/106 in reply.
Southern coach and opener Hannah Sampson, who won the Lauren Ebsary Medal for player of the match, set the pace from the start with 52 (seven fours, sixth wicket to fall).
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She followed up with the ball with a miserly 3/5 off four overs (22 balls not scored off), while Rachel Andrew (25) and Kylie Rattray (23 not out) provided late-order support.
Kensington looked to be a chance for victory at 4/96 but the narrow run out of skipper Sarah Lowe (32), triggered a mini collapse with Katelyn Pope carrying the Browns’ hopes with an unbeaten 33.
Southern captain Jess O’Reilly said the team was determined to stay cool under pressure.
“We were aiming for 110 but when we got a few more we were happy with that,” O’Reilly said.
“Everyone clicked under pressure and did their job.
“While our experienced players were good our kids were fantastic.
“We have three 16-year-olds and a player like Gemma Kennedy, who is still 14 years old, bowled the last over and showed a lot of guts.
“Two weeks ago a ball slipped through her hands while she was trying to take a catch and broke her nose but today she comes back and does well under pressure and takes an outfield catch.”
Sampson said the result was a reward for the hard work put in during the competition.
The only down side for the Stingrays was a knee injury to Rachel Andrew who was carried from the ground when fielding in the 12th over.
One of the highlights for the Browns was the fifth-wicket stand of 58 runs between Lowe and Pope, giving Kensington a chance for a late surge.
Kensington captain Lowe said it was a disappointing end to the competition for her side.
“It was an outstanding game from Southern,” Lowe said.
“We had our opportunities but Southern took theirs.
“Overall, it’s been a positive season.”
Eliza Doddridge starred with the ball for Kensington with 3/6 with two maidens off four overs.
She looked good with the bat opening the innings before being trapped in front for nine off Sampson’s bowling.
Southern made it a double when its second grade took out its grand final, skittling Glenelg for 36 in 18.4 overs after the Seahorses were 9/14.
Southern took just 10.4 overs to make 3/37.
Febi Mansell produced the stunning figures of 6/5, including a hat-trick, from four overs and was 13 not out, while Keely Stone grabbed 3/8.