Tasmania go back-to-back in WNCL final in crazy finish

The Tasmanian Tigers have produced the most remarkable victory in the WNCL grand final to go back-to-back with a one-run DLS win over South Australia.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Maisy Gibson, Elyse Villani and Emma Manix-Geeves of the Tigers celebrate the wicket of Emma de Broughe of the Scorpions during the WNCL Final match between Tasmania and South Australia at Blundstone Arena, on February 25, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

The Tasmanian Tigers have produced the most remarkable victory in the WNCL grand final to go back-to-back with a one-run DLS win over South Australia thanks to a thrilling final over spell from Sarah Coyte at Blundstone Arena on Saturday.

In a game that will go down in cricket folklore, it was the Scorpions who were left to rue what could have been after losing five wickets in the final over after only requiring four runs to seek redemption following last years’ loss in the corresponding game.

But it was Coyte (4-30), the Tigers go-to bowler all-season, who will have a statue erected at Blundstone Arena and long be remembered as the hero thanks to three final over wickets and a run out to give the Tigers a second-consecutive Ruth Pedder trophy.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Sarah Coyte of the Tigers takes the catch to dismiss Courtney Webb of the Scorpions during the WNCL Final match between Tasmania and South Australia at Blundstone Arena, on February 25, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

After the Tigers were bowled out for an under-par score of 264 runs – despite another Elyse Villani century – it looked like the Scorpions would chase down the total following a superb 83-run stand from Tasmanian turned South Australian Courtney Webb.

But it wasn’t to be for the visitors with the Tigers becoming just the second team to go back-to-back in competition history.

After a terrific innings of 110 runs from 126 balls from the Tigers captain, the Tasmanian tail order failed to withstand a late flurry with the ball from the Scorpions who took 7-20 from the final 25 balls.

If her name wasn’t already etched into Tasmanian cricket folklore after captaining the Tigers to a maiden WNCL title last year, a second-consecutive grand final century made sure Villani would forever be remembered as a two-time Tasmanian premiership captain.

The Victorian-born opener brought up her century in the 44th over with the Scorpions ruing an early chance to dismiss the Tigers skipper while she also survived a run-out attempt just ten overs before bringing up the ton.

Villani’s knock – her third triple-figure innings this season – was the 12th century of her WNCL career and saw her go into outright second on the all-time competition table with South Australian legend Karen Rolton’s record of 14 now well within her reach.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Elyse Villani of the Tigers celebrates scoring a century during the WNCL Final match between Tasmania and South Australia at Blundstone Arena, on February 25, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

After winning the toss and sending the home side into bat, it was two of the competition’s most in-form batters that got the Tigers off to the perfect start with Lizelle Lee (48 off 46) partnering with Villani for a 79-run opening stand.

After the South African fell it wasn’t long before Nicola Carey (2 off 4) and Emma Manix-Geeves (11 off 19) both joined her which required Naomi Stalenberg (75 off 89) to produce arguably the most important innings of her career.

Stalenberg and Villani partnered for an innings defining 139 runs before Villani was stumped in the 46th over.

This was the beginning of the Tigers batting collapse with the home side at 4-244 when Molly Strano (0 off 1) took the crease before finishing at 10-264 when the final wicket of Maisy Gibson fell with the last ball of the Tigers innings.