Subiaco-Floreat have taken over Midland-Guildford as the powerhouses of Female Premier Cricket, after winning the 50-over title by eight wickets at the WACA Ground.
Subiaco-Floreat claim Female A Grade title
Subiaco-Floreat won the toss and elected to bowl on a typically fast and bouncy WACA Ground pitch, and their decision was immediately vindicated with the key wicket of rising star Ines McKeon off the very first ball of the match.
McKeon, who has had a breakout summer with Melbourne Stars in the Weber Women’s Big Bash League, was cruelly run out without facing a ball after she was found short of her ground following a direct hit run-out from Subiaco Floreat’s Jacqueline Naidoo.
Naidoo then produced another outstanding piece of individual play in the next over, removing Abbie Whybrow without scoring.
WA skipper Chloe Piparo (53) was able to dig deep for her side, while the state-level experience of Lilly Mills (14) and Shay Manolini (23) helped rebuild the innings during the middle overs.
The key breakthrough of Piparo from Subiaco captain Jess Emery swung the momentum back towards her side, just as Midland-Guildford were threatening to post a defendable score.
Emery managed to produce a game-breaking spell, as she was able to run through Midland’s middle to lower order in quick succession.
She finished with the fine figures of 5-14 off seven overs to help dismissed Midland-Guildford for 140, which included losing their last six wickets for 41 runs.
Emery was well supported by Naidoo (2-20 off eight overs) who also claimed multiple wickets, while Olivia McSweeney (1-16 off six) and Neha Prashanth (1-26 off four) chipped in.
Subiaco-Floreat were empathic in the run-chase, running down the 141-run target with eight wickets and 18 overs to spare.
WA star opener Maddy Darke (82 off 91) produced a match-winning half-century, striking nine boundaries in a classy batting display.
She was well supported by fellow opener Tya Gonsalves (18), with the pair combining for a 59-run stand for the opening wicket.
Naidoo (27*) then combined with Darke to take the score to 128, before Darke was finally dismissed by Sheldyn Cooper.
Naidoo and experienced state batter Mikayla Hinkley (4*) then completed the job, with Naidoo bringing up the winning runs with the only six of the match.
Female A Grade
Midland-Guildford 140 (Piparo 53, Emery 5-14, Naidoo 2-20) defeated by Subiaco-Floreat 2-145 (Darke 82, Naidoo 27*, Cooper 1-22)