BDCA women’s first-grade: Colts book grand final place with five-wicket preliminary final win over Marist

Colts have claimed a place in the Bunbury & Districts Cricket Association women’s first-grade grand final with a five-wicket preliminary final win over Marist at Forrest Park. After winning the toss and opting to bat, the home side made a slow but steady start until Brittany Wilson broke a 20-run opening partnership by knocking over Katie Ernst for seven. Marist captain Gabrielle House came to the crease and looked in fine touch, racing to 26 from the same number of deliveries, but was castled by left-arm seamer Addison Hall with the first ball after the mid-innings drinks break to leave the Blues at 2-63. Sari Wootton (31 not out from 58 balls) carried on after the loss of the skipper but lacked support, with no other Marist batter able to get into double figures before their innings ended at 7-111 from their 30 overs. Wilson (2-11 from five overs) and Emma Norrish (2-15 from six overs) claimed multiple victims for Colts, while all-rounders Lily Finlay (1-10 from 6 overs) and Hall (1-19 from 6 overs) both bowled well. Opening the batting, Finlay looked in good touch but was witness to regular wickets at the other end, with Cathy Allen, Leisa Norrish and captain Shani Waugh all coming and going as Colts were reduced to 3-41. A 60-run fourth wicket stand between Finlay and Hall put Colts in the box seat, but Marist threatened a late twist by knocking over both in quick succession. With the help of some untimely wides and no-balls, new batters Lucy Mullens and Matilda Thomas did enough to get their side home with eight balls to spare. This Sunday’s season decider between Donnybrook and Colts at Egan Park will be a rematch of the qualifying final, where the top team sealed their grand final spot with a 28-run win.