CHAMPIONS: The Tasmanian Queens of cricket take the Cup

Tasmania has produced close to the perfect game to lift the WNCL Cup in its first final - with a recruit and a local breaking all sorts of records along the way.

FOR the first time in the state’s history, Tasmania is the undisputed champion of women’s cricket.

On the back of a record partnership and an eight-game winning streak, the Tigers cruised to their first WNCL title by nine wickets.

It was the perfect mix of recruiting – captain Elyse Villani – and local talent – Emma Manix-Geeves – that ensured the cup would reside in Hobart for the first time.

Chasing South Australia’s 8-242, Villani (111 not out off 124 balls) and Manix-Geeves (104 not out off 133) put on a WNCL record partnership for a final and the first time to Tasmanian batters have scored a century in the same innings to take all doubt and nerves out of the chase.

Tasmania started the celebrations with 14 balls to spare.

Sasha Moloney of the Tigers celebrates with teammates the wicket of Emma de Broughe of the Scorpions during the WNCL match between Tasmania and South Australia at Blundstone Arena on March 27, 2022 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Villani, playing in her eighth WNCL final, finally registered her first win in her first year for Tasmania.

HEmma Manix-Geeves of the Tigers plays a reverse sweep during the WNCL match between Tasmania and South Australia at Blundstone Arena on March 27, 2022 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Manix-Geeves, the prodigiously-talented Launceston 21-year-old, was nearly lost to the state after losing her contract two years ago, blossomed under the pressure of the final, scoring her highest WNCL score when it mattered most.

On the perfect Blundstone Arena one-day pitch, Tasmania’s spin heavy bowling attack were able to contain the Scorpions – except for a Tasmanian representing South Australia.

Emma de Broughe of the Scorpions bats during the WNCL match between Tasmania and South Australia at Blundstone Arena on March 27, 2022 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Courtney Webb, also originally from Launceston who opened the batting alongside Manix-Geeves for Tasmanian underage teams, was the only batter in red to escape from the locals.

She scored 88 off 78 balls before becoming one of Rachel Priest’s three stumpings (to go alongside a terrific catch standing up to stumps.

There was no standout with the ball for the Tigers, but the collective effort to ensure the asking rate would be highly achievable.

Molly Strano demonstrated her worth taking 2-2 in the final over of the day to ensure the Scorpions would not take any momentum into the field, while 17-year-old Amy Smith also chipped in with three wickets and is another local the Tigers will build their future around.

The Tigers death bowling was outstanding, resulting in a Scorpion collapse of 6-34 from the final 32 balls of the innings.

Follow @Stubboir