The Lend Lease Breakers have defeated the ACT Meteors by 107 runs in their Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 50 over match at Wagga Wagga’s Robertson Oval, claiming a bonus point in the process.
NSW captain Alex Blackwell won the toss and elected to bat first in the day/night fixture, with the Breakers going on to post 8-297.
Rachael Haynes top scored for Lend Lease Breakers with a brilliant knock of 77 runs off 85 deliveries, including 11 fours and one six. She shared in two half century partnerships, joining with Alyssa Healy (26) to put on 56 runs for the first wicket, and Alex Blackwell (15) for a 60 run second wicket stand.
The opener became the third wicket to fall with the score on 153, bringing to an end an innings which displayed both patience and aggression. She was peppered with short balls early by New Zealand fast bowler Nicola Browne, but then pounced on anything too full with some perfect drives through the off side.
Her dismissal failed to slow the NSW run rate with Leah Poulton (31), Sarah Coyte (37) and Ellyse Perry (40 not out) ensuring the Breakers posted a sizeable target.
The ACT’s chase began with a 74 run opening stand between Katie Mack (23) and Laura Wright (33), which was only broken when Sarah Coyte ran out Mack at the bowler’s end with a direct hit from backward point. Wright fell a few runs later, caught by Sharon Millanta at mid-off from the bowling of Angela Reakes.
Kris Britt and Sara Hungerford consolidated for the Meteors with a 39 run third wicket stand, however, Rachael Haynes struck a double blow by bowling Britt (39) with the score on 117, then trapping Nicola Brown (2) lbw three runs later.
Sara Hungerford was the only other batter to provide any resistance, scoring 36 runs off 36 balls. She became the fifth wicket to fall with the score on 162, with the remaining four wickets falling for just 28 runs. The match ended with the ACT on 9-190 with their last batter, Sally Moylan, unable to bat because of injury.
Rachael Haynes claimed the last wicket of the game to finish with 3-22 off 4.4 overs, with Erin Osborne (2-18), Ellyse Perry (1-29), Sarah Aley (1-22) and Angela Reakes (1-50) the other wicket takers.
Tonight’s win maintains the Lend Lease Breakers’ place at the top of the WNCL ladder and their undefeated start to the season.
They will meet the ACT again tomorrow morning (November 24) in a Women’s T20 match at Robertson Oval starting at 10am. Entry is free.
