Tara Murray
It was a successful season for the Hoppers Crossing-Sanctuary Lakes combined women’s cricket teams despite two grand final losses on Sunday.
The two clubs joined forces this season, to field two sides, one in the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket competition and one in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association.
Coach Matt Smith said it had been a really good season for both sides.
“It was a great season overall,” he said. “In both matches we were beaten by superior opposition.
“It’s the first time we’ve had two sides and we’re really pleased with how they went overall and playing in a grand final is still a great season.
“The program this season has been combined with Sanctuary Lakes and there were players from both clubs in both sides.
“It’s great to have both clubs work together and get to this point.”
Hoppers Crossing-Sanctuary Lakes lost the CVWCCC north-west B grand final to Essendon.
Essendon made 7-172 to put the pressure back on Hoppers Crossing-Sanctuary Lakes.
The target would be too much and they would be bowled out for 79.
“We had some success early and one of their players got away from us and they were able to get some partnerships going,” Smith said.
“They then had some very displinced bowling and fielding. They made some early breakthroughs and it stalled us.”
In the NWMCA division 4 grand final, Hoppers Crossing-Sanctuary Lakes lost to Barkly Street-Druids.
Barkly Street-Druids made 6-144 before restricting Hoppers Crossing-Sanctuary Lakes to 5-118.
“We had started really well and stifled them before we let a couple of players get away,” Smith said.
“We started off well before getting stuck in the middle, We accaleated in the end, but it was too late.”
Smith said it was good to get back and playing cricket after a tough couple of years with COVID and some payers walking away from the game.
“We had a good mix of junior girls with senior women,” he said.
“We had a number of junior girls come up into senior cricket and some new players who had never played before. They’re all planning on coming back next year.
“We’ve worked with Sanctuary Lakes to get the partnership going and provide more opportunities for players of both clubs to play senior cricket.
“I’m really proud of everyone that played in the program.”
