Hoppers Crossing has achieved too much this season to let its CV Women’s Community Cricket north-west one-day grand final loss to Craigieburn dampen the mood.
The Cats suffered a major letdown in the season decider, losing by eight wickets in a one-sided affair at DS Aitken Reserve on Sunday.
More was expected from the Cats after they ousted previously undefeated minor premier Geelong in a semi-final and also took home the Twenty20 title earlier in the season.
It was not to be the Cats’ day, with Craigieburn dominating in all facets.
But Hoppers Crossing captain Brianna Herman and her teammates were still ebullient in the aftermath.
“We’ve gone from last season, winning only about five games, to winning a T20 final and knocking off the undefeated team,” she said.
“I think everyone is in pretty good spirits knowing that whatever happened today, we’ve still achieved that. It’s easily a 10-out-of-10 season for us.”
Hoppers Crossing laid a strong platform with the bat through Kayla Koropeckyj and Shannon Wilde.
Koropeckyj top-scored with 22 off 73 balls and Wilde helped take the shine off the ball with eight from 45.
From a strong position of 1-47, the Cats lost their final nine wickets for 13 to be all out for 60 in 33.2 overs.
“The top order did really well,” Herman said. “When the first couple of batters dropped, the rest of them dropped.”
Hoppers Crossing did not wave the white flag. The Cats’ bowlers made Craigieburn work for its runs, but it was never going to end favourably with such a small total to defend.
Craigieburn reached the target two down in the 27th over.
Herman was pleased with the fight shown by her bowlers in a tough situation.
“Everything was kept at the body, on their toes and making it hard for them to play,” she said.
Herman is enthusiastic about Hoppers Crossing’s future and has urged the players to stick together and grow.
“If they all keep playing together, all they’re going to do is improve,” she said.
“There’s going to be a high chance that we’re up there every season in the coming years.”
Herman is hopeful that Hoppers Crossing will get to welcome back last year’s captain, Ashleigh Mills.
Mills sat out this season after having a baby.
She was superb for the Cats last season, with 324 runs at 36 to go with seven wickets.
