Marg Jennings Cup and Women’s Premier Under-18s best performers

A Melbourne teenage cricket sensation has played one of the most remarkable innings ever seen to claim a nail-biting one wicket victory. See the crazy scorecard.

Ringwood coach Hailey Ferris wasn’t shy in her praise of Samara Dulvin’s matchwinning knock in the U18 Premier Cricket women’s grand final.

“It was absolutely insane and I don’t know if I’ll see a better innings than that,” she declared.

To put it into perspective, Dulvin finished with 155 runs, not out, off 144 balls as the Rams stunned Carlton by one-wicket.

The Vic Metro representative had come to the crease at 1-13 and saw her team lose wickets in clumps and at 9-149 when Jazz Anstee joined Dulvin, Carlton looked set for a massive win.

The duo then put on a 80-run partnership to get their side across the line, chasing 229.

“Up until the point she got her 100, she just played super smart,” Ferris said of Dulvin.

“She just knew it was a good wicket where the ball was coming on. She didn’t do anything silly, never looked like going out.

“When we were nine down she got to her 100 and then anything she hit, she hit cleanly to the boundary.

“Throughout that innings, every time we were at drinks, we were 6-50, 7 for not many, she always said ‘we can win this’.

“It didn’t matter how many wickets down we were she truly believed she could get the job done.”

Samara Dulvin was named as the player of the match.

Anstee eventually finished unbeaten on 8 off 29 with Ferris delivering praise for her performance.

“I think it worked well with her batting with Sammy,” she said.

“Sammy is so good at chatting with the other batter and Jazz just played her role so well. She’s played Premier Cricket for a few years now.

“If she was on strike at the start of an over, she did everything she could to look for a single and put pressure on the fields.

“She just played smart really. Blocked the ball out when she needed to and got the runs when she needed to.”

Ringwood had a number of impressive performances throughout the tournament including Dulvin who finished as the leading run scorer.

Teammate Tegan Rule had the second most with 259 at an average of 43.17 while she had the most wickets of any Ram with 10.

“The whole team did chip in whenever we needed,” Ferris said.

“Everyone who was given the ball took some wickets. We saved boundaries when we needed to.

Ringwood celebrates its premiership on Tuesday.

“The scoreboard might not show it but even those who chipped in today (on Tuesday) it made a difference to get us over the line.”

Looking at the tournament overall, Ferris praised the standard.

“It’s been an amazing tournament to watch from all sides,” she said.

“All of the sides have had big scores, really talented bowlers, fielding has been good.

“Seeing women’s cricket excel is exciting. It has been a really high standard.”

GEELONG TRIUMPH IN MARG JENNINGS CUP

An inspired lower-order partnership has lifted Geelong to back-to-back Marg Jennings Cups.

In Tuesday’s final against Prahran, and needing 167 to win, Geelong required 31 off its final 22 deliveries before Poppy Agg and Lily Shand turned it on with a 42-run partnership.

Hitting some timely boundaries at Kardinia Park West and capitalising on some wayward Prahran bowling, it appeared their efforts may have been in vain, Shand bowled clean in what was later determined a no-ball.

Geelong had hit just three boundaries for the day compared to Prahran’s 13 before Agg (32 from 40) and Shand (20 from 21) picked up the pace, cutting the chase back to a run a ball by the final over.

Agg’s dismissal with two balls left gave Geelong’s heart rate another spike, though Shand and Clio Cameron expertly withstood the high-pressure stakes to see the home side across the line, though to Prahran’s despair, it was two byes which ultimately sealed victory.

Coach Jess Field said back-to-back titles for Geelong showed the strength of its talent coming through.

“I always knew the girls had it in them,” Field said.

“We bat to the end, we bowl to the end, obviously it was getting really tight there at the end, the run rate was getting tight.

“It was awesome to see those girls who haven’t had a chance to bat pretty much the tournament because the top order has normally done it for them.

“The thing we work on at Geelong is getting those extra twos and threes … I said to the girls the first day of the tournament, that’s what we want to do, we want to get more singles than the opposition.”

Geelong celebrate against Prahran. Picture: Alison Wynd

Prahran posted a quality 8-166 from their 40 overs, star batter Anushka Mehta, who later took out the Raelene Thompson medal for best afield, on the attack with an impressive 59 from 79 deliveries – her third half century of the tournament.

Bowler Eloise Millard broke through for Geelong’s first in the 11th over, dismissing Dakota Edmonds leg before wicket after Prahran had motored to 0-45.

But the home side was forced to toil for their second as Mehta and Ava Wyatt built a solid 58-run partnership.

It was eventually Erin Moloney who stood up with figures of 4-22, including the highly prized wicket of Mehta in the 28th over, with Wyatt soon following two balls later.

Moloney’s third and fourth wickets came in each of her next two overs, with Aria Huby active with the gloves with a series of catches as Prahran fell to 5-128.

Moloney’s Geelong City Sharks teammate in Agg soon got her first with the opening ball of the 33rd, before captain April Chaudhary picked up two late scalps to keep Prahran to 8-166.

Geelong openers Clover McIlwaine and Chaudhary started the chase strongly, getting to 62 before McIlwaine was caught for 25.

Chaudhary and Zarah Timpson later fell in quick succession in the 22nd over, Geelong fighting to regain its composure on 3-81.

It was left to Eloise Millard and Isabelle Kelly, with Geelong needing 75 to run in the final 15 overs, though both went soon after before the likes of Agg and Shand, from the state’s southwest, stepped up.

U18 PREMIER

Ringwood’s Samara Dulvin has produced one of the all-time great knocks to guide her side to the U18 Premier Women’s title.

Dulvin hit a remarkable 155 not out off 144 balls as the Rams completed a stunning fairytale against Carlton.

The Blues had earlier posted 4-228 from their 50 overs as Grace Moyle led the way with an unbeaten 78.

Ringwood looked all but out of the contest when it slipped to 9-149, still needing 80 runs for victory before Dulvin proved why she’s one of Victorian cricket’s most exciting talents.

Her innings included 20 boundaries to get her side across the line.

Massive credit must also go to Jazz Anstee who came in at number 11 and scored 8 off 29 to provide great support for Dulvin.

GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

April Chaudhary revealed the extra mile she’s going as captain of Geelong’s Marg Jennings Cup tilt – and it’s something even some senior players don’t do.

At just 13, Chaudhary, who will attempt to lead Geelong to back-to-back under-15 girls titles against Prahran on Tuesday, has followed up her games at home by pouring over footage of opposition teams.

For Chaudhary, in her first season at Geelong Cricket Club, it’s all part of the responsibility of being a captain.

“I honestly wasn’t quite expecting to be captain but I’m glad that I got that role,” Chaudhary said.

“I think captain does come with a bit of responsible, I do have to think about fields when I get home, I have to watch footage of other teams to kind of have an idea.

“But the girls also help with that, they’re quite attentive on the field, they let me know (things), it’s quite easy captaining the team.”

Geelong coach Jess Field praised Chaudhary’s captaincy, further highlighting the Werribee cricketer had taken on the title as a bottom-ager.

“She comes to me with her ideas for the bowling line-up, for fields, batting line-up and I trust her making those decisions,” Field said.

“She’s been working really well with the girls and the girls really trust her out there.

“I think when we were talking about the leadership, who we wanted, we wanted someone who understood the game well, which April is ticking all the boxes with how she communicates with the team, how she performs herself, and just her general understanding of the game itself.

“It’s also about setting someone up so they can hopefully continue on if we’ve got her for the next year.”

April Chaudhary (left) and Erin Moloney. Picture: Mark Wilson

But it’s not just Chaudhary’s leadership which has had an impact for Geelong across the two-week tournament.

In Thursday’s semi-final victory against Melbourne, Chaudhary’s unbeaten 74 from 115 deliveries helped transform Geelong’s inning from early collapse to a winning total.

“We started off a bit rough but I think that’s the good thing about us, we’ve got a really good team, batting and bowling,” Chaudhary said.

“I got a few partnerships and once you get those partnerships going it’s way easier to bat.

“The start was trying to stay in, the opening bowlers were bowling well.

“But we all know we’re going to get a loose one and once that loose one comes you get into your knack and start hitting; just waiting for the time to come to start going for it.”

It was Chaudhary’s best score for the tournament, the teen second for runs across all players with 181 at 60.33.

Geelong will host Prahran in the Marg Jennings Cup on Tuesday from 10am while Carlton welcomes Ringwood to Princes Park in the Under-18 Premier grand final.

Ahead of both games, we’ve profiled some of the key players to keep an eye on from both sides.

MARG JENNINGS CUP

Anna Burgon, Prahran

Burgon has played some First XI cricket for Prahran this season. She’s built nicely into this tournament and has the ability to score quickly if given the chance.

April Chaudhary, Geelong

The Cats’ skipper has been brilliant with the bat, scoring 181 wickets at an average of 60.33. While the youngster hasn’t been a big wicket taker, she doesn’t give away many runs.

Dakota Edmonds, Prahran

One of the leading all-rounders in this tournament. Edmonds has consistently scored runs when she’s batted, showing great patience at the crease. She is also the leading wicket taker with 12.

Anushka Mehta, Prahran

Heads into the final as the competition’s leading run scorer with 212 at an average of 42.4. Has been a big performer with the bat, scoring two-half centuries so far. Mehta has also taken 10 wickets.

Eloise Millard, Geelong

From the Tarrington Cricket Club, Millard has been impressive with bat and ball this tournament. She has 138 runs at an average 34.5 and has proven she’s capable of picking up wickets.

Eloise Millard has been brilliant for Geelong.

Erin Moloney, Geelong

Moloney is the Cats’ leading wicket taker for the tournament with nine at an average of just 3.56. She’s been key in her side restricting the opposition to lower scores.

U18 PREMIER

Samara Dulvin, Ringwood

What a competition the Vic Metro under-19 representative has enjoyed. She’s hit the most runs with 295 at 59 and has also chipped in with wickets. She hit a half-century the last time these two sides met.

Charli McLennan, Carlton

Consistent with the bat and ball throughout this competition. McLennan is in devastating form with the ball having taken seven wickets in her last two games.

Grace Moyle, Carlton

Made an impressive half-century in the semi-final and looms as a real key for her side. Capable of finding the boundary consistently.

Shivani Narendran, Carlton

Currently the leading wicket taker in the competition with 13 at just seven. Took two wickets the last time these two sides met.

Tegan Rule, Ringwood

One of the leading all-rounders throughout the competition. Rule has three half-centuries to her name and has been the Rams’ leading wicket taker with nine.

Zara Veal, Ringwood

Veal has taken seven wickets across the last three matches to be one of the in-form bowlers heading into Tuesday.

Zara Veral was a star for Ringwood.

SEMI-FINAL REVIEW

The grand finals of the Marg Jennings Cup and Under 18 Premier Female competition are set.

Here’s how Thursday’s semi-finals played out.

MARG JENNINGS CUP

Geelong and Prahran will contest the grand final of Victorian Premier Cricket’s elite under-15 female competition.

The Cats moved through to the decider after securing a 66-run win over Melbourne on the back of a sensational unbeaten knock from skipper April Chaudhary.

The 13-year-old hit an unbeaten 74 runs off 115 balls as her side posted 4-168.

Aria Huby (40 not out) and Isabelle Kelly (30 off 46) played a key role in their side being given a strong platform.

Melbourne was all out for 102 as Poppy Agg (3-15) led the way with the ball as Eloise Millard and Zarah Timpson also chipped in with two wickets.

“We started off a bit rough but I think that’s the good thing about us, we’ve got a really good team, batting and bowling,” Chaudhary said of the game.

“I got a few partnerships and once you get those partnerships going it’s way easier to bat.

“The start was trying to stay in, the opening bowlers were bowling well.

“But we all know we’re going to get a loose one and once that loose one comes you get into your knack and start hitting; just waiting for the time to come to start going for it.”

In the other semi, Isla Mattsson hit 28 not out off 35 in the lower order to guide Prahran to 9-141 against Carlton.

Carlton was eventually all out for 92 as Anushka Mehta and Anna Burgon took two wickets apiece.

The decider is locked in for Tuesday.

U18 PREMIER

Carlton booked its place in the grand final after claiming a five-wicket win against Melbourne.

The Blues had Melbourne all out for 204 as Zoe Samuel top scored with 38 as Charli McLennan took four wickets.

In response, Grace Moyle led the way with an unbeaten half-century to guide her side across the line while Shivani Narendran finished not out on 41.

Ringwood won through to the decider after getting the better of Dandenong by 14 runs.

Tanya Arul top scored with 61 off 71 as the Rams were all out 196.

Kamaljot Kaur hit 95 not out to almost guide Dandenong across the line before they were all out for 182 as Ameilia Kuth, Mikayla Lewis-Simmonds and Zara Veal all took three wickets.

FINAL POOL GAME REVIEW

MARG JENNINGS CUP

Geelong continued its dominance with a thumping 10-wicket win over Plenty Valley. Charlotte Wythe led the way with the ball, taking 3-11 to have the home side all out for 69. Clover McIlwaine (34no) and April Chaudhary (26no) made light work of the run chase.

Carlton booked its semi-final after a five-run win over Essendon Maribyrnong Park in a thriller. The Blues posted 6-134 as Tessa McNair top scored with 27. Sai Kesarapu almost got her side across the line with an unbeaten 48 but it just wasn’t enough.

Prahran is through to the last four after a 27-run win over Ringwood on the back of an even team performance.

Melbourne closed out the pool stage and booked a semi-final berth with a three-wicket win over Dandenong with Ishmeen Nagra hitting a half-century in a losing effort.

Box Hill picked up a big win over Greenvale Kangaroos as Varsha Avulanna (63no) and Arshia Arora (43) not out enjoyed strong performances to guide their side to a nine-wicket win.

U18 PREMIER

Melbourne maintained its unbeaten status on Wednesday with a convincing nine-wicket win against Greenvale Kangaroos as Sahana Tarini (4-7) and Darcy Collins (3-4) led the way with the bat to have their opponents all out for 73. Kamya Mishra (36 not out) and Amelie O’Meara (32no) guided home the run chase.

Dandenong booked its place in the semi-final with a comprehensive 106-run win over Plenty Valley as Kamaljot Kaur crafted a brilliant 88 not out to lead her side to 4-214 from their 40 overs. Heidi Driscoll led the way with 3-17 to have the visitors all out for 108 in response as Rituja Talekar hit a gritty 47 not out.

Ringwood won through to the final four after securing a 17-run win over Prahran after half-centuries to Samara Dulvin and Tegan Rule who scored 84 and 71 respectively. The duo propelled their side to 8-221. Prahran fell narrowly short in the chase at 9-204 as Elizabeth Cormack top scored with 39.

Carlton ran out six-run winners against Essendon Maribyrnong Park in a thrilling clash as Inakshi Sehgal hit a half-century as the Blues posted 7-183. Ruby Gibson’s 65 led the run chase with Charli McLennan and Shivani Narendran taking three wickets each.

Geelong was also impressive with the ball as Bianca Summers led the way with three wickets in an eight-wicket win over Box Hill. The Cats managed to have the opposition out for 52.

DAY FOUR REVIEW

MARG JENNINGS CUP

Geelong continued to be among the pacesetters in the Marg Jennings Cup after an impressive 35-run win over Greenvale Kangaroos.

Clover McIlwaine (57 runs off 78 balls) and Eloise Millard (55 off 57) both hit half centuries to help give their side a strong platform of 9-212. Greenvale reached 177 as Shaina Barala reached a 55.

Prahran was in dominant form against Plenty Valley, running out 72-run winners behind brilliant all-round performances from Anushka Mehta (69 off 75 and 3-16) and Dakota Edmonds (52 off 79 and 4-18).

The duo propelled Prahran to 9-185 before helping have Plenty Valley all out for 113.

Carlton picked up a big win against Box Hill with Shreshta Varun a dominant force with bat and ball.

Varun hit 56 off 100 to guide her side to 7-181 before taking 4-8 to help have the home side all out for 71.

Ringwood claimed its second win of the tournament, securing a 51-run win over Dandenong on the back of a strong four-wicket bowling effort from Myra Wadhera.

On Tuesday, Melbourne secured its third win of the tournament after overcoming Essendon Maribyrnong Park by eight wickets. The Bombers had posted 5-147 behind Gurmannat Kaur Mann’s 34 off 83 as Minudi Weerasinghe claimed two wickets.

Weerasinghe then led the run chase with an unbeaten 61 off 115.

Shreshta Varun had a huge game for Prahran.

UNDER-18 PREMIER

Tegan Rule and Zara Veal were in devastating form with the ball in Ringwood’s nine-wicket win over Box Hill after setting up the massive victory.

The pair combined for seven wickets, Rule taking 4-16 and Veal 3-5, as Box Hill was all out for 32 with the latter also doing her part in a run out.

Samara Dulvin led the run chase with an unbeaten 18 in a game where she also took a wicket.

Greenvale Kangaroos picked up its first win of the tournament with a hard fought win against Geelong, prevailing by three wickets.

Bailey Holt was clearly the player of the match after taking 5-23 to help have the Cats all out for 116 before top scoring with 44 in the run chase.

Dandenong established itself at the top of the ladder with an impressive four-wicket win over Prahran in a performance which had several key figures.

Thivyaa Mahendran top scored in the run chase chase with an unbeaten 28 off 47 balls as Jethri Perera (three wickets), Amelia Gomez and Heidi Driscoll (two) all chimed in to have Prahran all out for 122.

Holly Nagpal produced an unbeaten 72 off 112 to set up Essendon Maribyrnong Park’s 26-run win over Plenty Valley as her side posted 7-227 from its 50 overs.

Holly Fulton (59 off 135) and Rituja Talekar (61 off 93) hit half-centuries in their side’s chase which ended at 5-201.

The young guns behind Bombers’ impressive Marg Jennings Cup start

Essendon Maribyrnong Park’s young guns are making their mark early in the Marg Jennings Cup.

They’ve started Victorian Premier Cricket’s top under-15 tournament with two straight wins and it’s come down to several young guns showing off their talents.

Vice-captain Ananya Mahajan has started brilliantly to be one of the competition’s leading wicket takers so far with six in the first two games at an average of a lowly 1.67.

She also impressed with the bat in the opening game against Ringwood crafting 44 runs off 62 deliveries including four boundaries.

EMP head of academy George Shaw said he had been impressed by the youngster’s start to the season.

“She has genuine pace, her action is a bit whippy,” he said.

“Milly Illingworth, who has played for Australia now, was quite similar at Ananya’s age with how quickly she could bowl.

“Ananya is an exciting talent, she’s good with the bat as she showed in the first game and is good in the field as well. We’re really pleased with how she’s started.

“She played a First XI game earlier in the season which was a massive achievement for a player at such a young age.”

Makayla Hall was at the forefront of Thursday’s win against Plenty Valley, taking 4-20 from 5.3 overs before delivering a matchwinning knock with the bat scoring an unbeaten 43 off 64.

Mahajan was again fantastic with the ball taking 3-6.

“Makayla played really well and got us right into game,” Shaw said.

“She’s another one who has played some First XI cricket this season, we’re really excited about her potential.

“Kiara Thomas helped build a partnership with Makayla and it was key in getting us across the line. Rehmi Burke hit 22 not out off 16 balls.

“She’ll probably get an opportunity to bat higher up the order in the games coming up.”

Also among the other EMP players to have started the tournament well include skipper Eshal Wadhwa who hit a half-century in the opening win.

Manya Patel is another one to keep an eye on after picking up two wickets in the first game.

Shaw also confirmed Tane Grero had been called into the Vic Country under-16 team for the national championships in Ballarat due to injuries and played against Tasmania on taking 1-13.

DAY TWO REVIEW

Victorian Premier Cricket’s female representative programs continued to heat up on Thursday.

Here’s all the leading performers.

MARG JENNINGS CUP

A brilliant bowling display from Keeratjot Kaur has powered Box Hill to a five-wicket win over Dandenong.

Kaur finished with 5-5 as Dandenong was all out for 70 before Guhika Vij led the run chase with a patient 22 runs off 57 balls.

Essendon Maribyrnong Park made it two wins from two behind the bowling partnership of Makayla Hall (4-20) and Ananya Mahajan (3-4) against Plenty Valley, who they had all out for 116.

Hall proved decisive in the run chase with an unbeaten 43 off 64.

Geelong maintained its perfect start to the competition with a seven-wicket win over Carlton in what’s best described as an even team performance.

Eloise Millard, Isabelle Kelly and Ruby Curran set up the victory with two wickets each to help have Carlton all out for 128.

Prahran also remains unbeaten after a six-wicket win over Melbourne as Anushka Mehta dominated with 83 not out off 63 to get her side across the line.

Ringwood picked up its first win by four wickets as Ilisha Rajiv impressed with three wickets against Greenvale Kangaroos.

U18 PREMIER

Ringwood picked up its first win of this year’s competition on the back of magnificent all-round performances from Samara Dulvin and Tegan Rule.

The pair a 107-run opening partnership for the Rams with Dulvin (54 runs) and Rule (66) laying the platform for a score of 254.

Dulvin then led the way with Rule taking two as Greenvale reached 152 in its run chase.

Melbourne continued to show off its dominant batting line-up in a 143-run win over Prahran as Amelie O’Meara hit a brutal 115 off 137 as Kamya Mishra fell narrowly short being dismissed for 97.

The pair shared a 228-run opening stand as Melbourne posted 5-278 before bowling the home side out for 135 as Sahana Tarini led the way with three wickets.

Dandenong maintained its perfect start with a 61-run win over Essendon Maribyrnong Park as Navleen Sandhu crafted 93 off 115 but fell short of triple figures as her side reached 248.

The Bombers were all out for 187 as Mia Gordon hit a half-century.

Carlton is also unbeaten after a 120-run win over Box Hill as Taylah Mason led the way with a half-century and Shivani Narendran took five wickets.

Geelong bounced back from its opening run defeat to prevail by 97 runs against Plenty Valley behind a brilliant 81-run performance from Bronte Leishman.

DAY ONE REVIEW

MARG JENNINGS CUP

To close out the opening slate of games on Wednesday, Melbourne was able to hang on for a 10-run win over Greenvale Kangaroos in an exciting contest.

Mia Head led the way for the bat for the winners, scoring an unbeaten 46 off 54 as they posted 9-169.

In response, the Roos reached 159 all out with Nishka Reddy Kasarla taking 3-19.

Geelong produced arguably the biggest statement win of the day after overcoming Box Hill by nine wickets with a huge performance.

The Cats bowled their opponents out for just as 89 as Erin Moloney and Zarah Timpson took four and three wickets respectively.

April Chaudhary and Eloise Millard led the way with the bat scoring 33 and 31 not out.

Essendon Maribyrnong Park got its own campaign off to a strong start with a 81-run win over Ringwood.

Eshal Wadhwa scored a half-century as her side posted 4-152 before she took two wickets in a player of the match performance.

Prahran claimed a 58-run win over Dandenong as Dakota Emonds produced a stunning bowling performance with four wickets.

U18 PREMIER

Melbourne’s Zoe Samuel produced the best individual performance of the day with an unbeaten 123 not out in her side’s 241-run win over Geelong.

Samuel’s innings included 18 boundaries and a six while she was well supported by Sahana Tarini with 83 not out as Kamya Mishra hit her own half-century as their side posted 2-139.

Geelong was bowled out for 78.

Prahran secured a nine-wicket win over Plenty Valley on the back of strong performances from Cate Filippone who took three wickets and Elizabeth Cormack who scored an unbeaten 58 off 61 as they chased down their total with ease.

Essendon Maribyrnong Park secured an eight-wicket win over Box Hill as Mia Gordon scored an unbeaten half-century after chasing down the home side’s 8-138 with Ruby Gibson taking three wickets.

Charli McLennan and Grace Moyle guided Carlton to a seven-wicket win over Ringwood after innings of 49 not out and 45 respectively, chasing 161 for victory.

Dandenong secured an eight-wicket win over Greenvale Kangaroos as Grace Barnes showed her class with the bat scoring an unbeaten 51 in the run chase of 127.