WA defeated by SA in WNCL clash

WA headed into today's contest with the Scorpions in seventh position on the WNCL ladder with two matches remaining, ready to take on a strong South Australian side which featured regular Australian quicks Darcie Brown and Megan Schutt. 

The day started brightly for the home side, with seamer Emily Arlott (1-61 off nine) producing a wicket with her very first ball of the day to dismiss Scorpions opener Emma De Broughe for five.  

Competition leading run-scorer Courtney Webb (31 off 39) and Bridget Patterson (65 off 70) threatened to take the game away from the hosts with a quickfire 60-run partnership, before Webb fell to a sharp catch from Chloe Piparo off the bowling of Amy Edgar (3-47 off 10).

Edgar made it two wickets in the over when she found the edge of Hollie Armitage's bat, before Taneale Peschel (2-40 off eight) went through the defences of Maddie Penna (4) to leave SA reeling at 4-80.

Patterson (65 off 70) and Ellie Johnstone (51 off 26) led the fightback for SA, producing a counterattacking 76-run stand for the fifth wicket to swing the momentum.

A half-century from captain Jemma Barsby (57* off 58) guided South Australia to 9-287 off their 50 overs, the highest WNCL total at the venue so far this season.

Maddy Darke's 74 helped give WA a strong start to their chase, while Mathilda Carmichael (50) was also threatening, but once they were dismissed SA were able to strike regularly, bowling their rivals out in 49.5 overs.

WA at one stage were 9-227, and the South Australians could sniff a bonus point - they needed to keep WA under 229 - but ultimately had to settle for the four regular points.

They now sit second on the table on 30 points, one point ahead of NSW and three ahead of Tasmania. 

The two teams will meet again on Friday, where a win for the Scorpions will likely be enough to secure their place in the final on March 2. Queensland will host the final, having now cemented top spot.