NewsBite

NSW Women’s Premier Cricket: Southern Swans claim U18s Brewer Shield

They had to withstand a mighty comeback, but the Southern Swans put Illawarra cricket on the map with a grand final victory for the ages in the U18s Brewer Shield. Wrap, 40+ photo gallery.

Southern Swans grand final victory song

The Southern Swans have defied the odds, rising from the basement in the club’s third season to claim the Under-18s Brewer Shield, after they repelled an epic Manly Warringah fightback to win by 10 runs at Port Kembla.

Nicola Hudson was outstanding for the Wollongong-based Swans. In a player of the match performance, the proud skipper and U16 NSW Country representative top scored with 59 in her side’s 8/166 and returned with the ball, strangling Manly’s chase with 3/17 from 10 overs of accurate spin.

For Hudson and all-rounder Ella Yates, the victory song carried extra weight. Having been on deck since day one, the pair have witnessed the club come full circle after it finished with the wooden spoon in its inaugural season, when they were known as Illawarra.

In a riveting contest, Manly fielded first and looked to be getting on top when Charlotte Allen removed Hudson at 5/108. But the Swans kicked again with Ava Dragovic (22 off 35 balls) and Georgia Lovegrove (35 off 53) pushing the score to a competitive total.

The Southern Swans celebrate the club’s maiden Brewer Shield title. Picture: Julian Andrews
The Southern Swans celebrate the club’s maiden Brewer Shield title. Picture: Julian Andrews

Coming off consecutive half centuries, the wicket of Manly opener Keira Terrey (11 off 26) was always going to be pivotal. And Ebony Winston put the Swans closer to the title when she trapped the right-hander in front of the stumps with a ball that skidded into the pads.

Wickets continued to tumble, and at 7/89, Manly could have easily rolled over in the heat and returned home early. Although, Allen (43 off 54) was having none of it, and when the big quick started launching the ball to all parts a healthy crowd suddenly found its voice.

With Abigail Bland (17 off 42) the perfect foil, the pair added 52 for the eighth wicket until Allen departed 26 shy of the victory target with 14 deliveries remaining. Sonia Punter then hit a six, but with 12 needed off the final over the chase ended when Lily Crabbe was the last to fall when she was run out.

“It’s pretty crazy, it was a great game,” said co-coach Aaron Hudson, who shared in the celebrations alongside daughter Nicola and fellow coach Shane Cody.

“It was everything you could wish for in a grand final. Manly made it interesting at the end, but credit to our girls, they stayed calm and played the big moments to perfection.

“We always believed the girls could do it. And, you know, we’re lucky we don’t have to do a lot of coaching, they do it themselves, which is great.”

In safe keeping: Ella Yates in mobbed by teammates after running out Lily Crabbe in the final play of the grand final. Picture: Julian Andrews
In safe keeping: Ella Yates in mobbed by teammates after running out Lily Crabbe in the final play of the grand final. Picture: Julian Andrews

CHASING THEIR TAIL

Despite the loss of three early wickets, Manly refused to throw in the towel.

Saoirse Ford came in at No.3 and weathered the storm with a defiant 32 from 66 deliveries. Along with Eve Burke (14 off 54), the skipper built a platform for Allen to carry the side within striking distance of a miracle comeback.

In a fantastic all-round performance, Allen opened the bowling for Manly and finished with 2/25 from eight overs. Composed under pressure, she then picked her moments with the bat to finish with her highest score of the season.

Showing immense strength and timing, the big right-hander cleared the rope twice, with one massive blow thundering into the mid-wicket picket fence on the full.

Power up: Manly’s Charlotte Allen drives towards cover as wicketkeeper Reet Kumar looks on. Picture: Julian Andrews
Power up: Manly’s Charlotte Allen drives towards cover as wicketkeeper Reet Kumar looks on. Picture: Julian Andrews

CAPTAIN’S KNOCK

As she’s done all season, Hudson was at the core of everything good the Swans achieved on the team’s biggest day.

Never far from the action, her match winning innings took her season tally to 441 at 33.92 – the fifth most in the competition. Her three wickets took her to 21 for the season, and in the field she held onto three hot chances and played a part in the final run out.

“It’s awesome to share the moment with Nic from a family point of view,” said proud father and co-coach Aaron Hudson.

“She has worked really hard this year, so it’s great to see her and the team get the rewards. She was there in the early days when it was tough, and her and Ella have come along in leaps and bounds with their leadership and their whole approach to the game.”

Family values: Player of the match and Swans captain Nicola Hudson hands a premiership medal to co-coach and father, Aaron Hudson. Picture: Julian Andrews
Family values: Player of the match and Swans captain Nicola Hudson hands a premiership medal to co-coach and father, Aaron Hudson. Picture: Julian Andrews

PRESSURE COOKER

The hot and oppressive conditions made it tough work for fast bowlers, but none handled it better than Swans opener, Natalia Egan.

The Bermagui speedster struck the first blow when she rocked back Matilda Brown’s off stump with an absolute peach, and returned later in the innings when Allen was at her destructive best.

With Manly making a belated charge, Egan (2/19, 10 overs) restricted the flow of runs from one end and with four overs to go managed to find Allen’s stumps to put the result beyond doubt.

“It was a bit hot, I was just trying to push through and keep the ball on off stump, hoping they might pop up a catch,” said Egan.

“I was getting quite a lot of away swing, and thankfully I got one in the right spot and Charlotte missed it.”

The moment: Natalia Egan takes the prize wicket of Manly’s Charlotte Allen. Picture: Julian Andrews
The moment: Natalia Egan takes the prize wicket of Manly’s Charlotte Allen. Picture: Julian Andrews

HEALTHY FUTURE

With the Brewer Shield now in the cabinet, Hudson is optimistic of a bright future for women’s cricket in the Illawarra and South Coast regions.

“There was a hell of a crowd here today, which is amazing for girls cricket,” said Hudson.

“It’s important we continue to build a base and development the squad. If we do that we should have a solid foundation around the club for years to come.”

GRAND FINAL PHOTO GALLERY

Swans captain Nicola Hudson is presented with the Brewer Shield. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans captain Nicola Hudson is presented with the Brewer Shield. Picture: Julian Andrews
The Southern Swans celebrate the club’s maiden Brewer Shield title. Picture: Julian Andrews
The Southern Swans celebrate the club’s maiden Brewer Shield title. Picture: Julian Andrews
The victorious Southern Swans celebrate the team song with friends, family and a spray of water. Picture: Julian Andrews
The victorious Southern Swans celebrate the team song with friends, family and a spray of water. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans captain Nicola Hudson deservedly won the Player of The Match award. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans captain Nicola Hudson deservedly won the Player of The Match award. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly opener Kiera Terrey. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly opener Kiera Terrey. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans bowler Ebony Winston. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans bowler Ebony Winston. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans wicketkeeper Reet Kumar. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans wicketkeeper Reet Kumar. Picture: Julian Andrews
Top of off: Manly’s Matilda Brown is bowled by Natalia Egan. Picture: Julian Andrews
Top of off: Manly’s Matilda Brown is bowled by Natalia Egan. Picture: Julian Andrews
Top of off: Manly’s Matilda Brown is bowled by Natalia Egan. Picture: Julian Andrews
Top of off: Manly’s Matilda Brown is bowled by Natalia Egan. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly opener Kiera Terrey plays an elegant drive. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly opener Kiera Terrey plays an elegant drive. Picture: Julian Andrews
Natalia Egan spills a hot caught and bowled chance. Picture: Julian Andrews
Natalia Egan spills a hot caught and bowled chance. Picture: Julian Andrews
Kiera Terrey plays to leg. Picture: Julian Andrews
Kiera Terrey plays to leg. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans bowler Farrah Cody. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans bowler Farrah Cody. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans captain Nicola Hudson celebrates taking a catch off the bowling of Farrah Cody. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans captain Nicola Hudson celebrates taking a catch off the bowling of Farrah Cody. Picture: Julian Andrews
Eve Burke sweeps past Reet Kumar. Picture: Julian Andrews
Eve Burke sweeps past Reet Kumar. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly’s Saoirse Ford plays through square. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly’s Saoirse Ford plays through square. Picture: Julian Andrews
Ella Yates bowling for the Swans. Picture: Julian Andrews
Ella Yates bowling for the Swans. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans wicketkeeper Reet Kumar prepares to glove a return. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans wicketkeeper Reet Kumar prepares to glove a return. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly captain Saoirse Ford hits her own wicket off the bowling of Ella Yates. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly captain Saoirse Ford hits her own wicket off the bowling of Ella Yates. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly’s Grace Pike is caught and bowled by Nicola Hudson. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly’s Grace Pike is caught and bowled by Nicola Hudson. Picture: Julian Andrews
Nicola Hudson makes a successful appeal for LBW against Eve Burke. Picture: Julian Andrews
Nicola Hudson makes a successful appeal for LBW against Eve Burke. Picture: Julian Andrews
Annabel Kyme hits out for Manly. Picture: Julian Andrews
Annabel Kyme hits out for Manly. Picture: Julian Andrews
Annabel Kyme makes her ground. Picture: Julian Andrews
Annabel Kyme makes her ground. Picture: Julian Andrews
Great fielding from Ebony Winston. Picture: Julian Andrews
Great fielding from Ebony Winston. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans wicketkeeper Reed Kumar tries to run out Manly’s Charlotte Allen. Picture: Julian Andrews
Swans wicketkeeper Reed Kumar tries to run out Manly’s Charlotte Allen. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly’s Abigail Bland. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly’s Abigail Bland. Picture: Julian Andrews
Charlotte Allen forces the pace for Manly. Picture: Julian Andrews
Charlotte Allen forces the pace for Manly. Picture: Julian Andrews
Charlotte Allen during her innings of 43 for Manly. Picture: Julian Andrews
Charlotte Allen during her innings of 43 for Manly. Picture: Julian Andrews
Charlotte Allen is bowled by Natalia Egan. Picture: Julian Andrews
Charlotte Allen is bowled by Natalia Egan. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly’s Abigail Bland is run out by Reet Kumar. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly’s Abigail Bland is run out by Reet Kumar. Picture: Julian Andrews
Ella Yates runs out Lily Crabbe to win the grand final. Picture: Julian Andrews
Ella Yates runs out Lily Crabbe to win the grand final. Picture: Julian Andrews
Ella Yates and Nicola Hudson celebrate following the final Manly wicket. Picture: Julian Andrews
Ella Yates and Nicola Hudson celebrate following the final Manly wicket. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly’s Lily Crabbe consoles her distraught teammate Sonia Punter at the end of the game. Picture: Julian Andrews
Manly’s Lily Crabbe consoles her distraught teammate Sonia Punter at the end of the game. Picture: Julian Andrews

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/sport/nsw-womens-premier-cricket-southern-swans-claim-u18s-brewer-shield/news-story/a4f3599cb9fdec3c2e2724f43157f3e6