UQ Triumph In T20 Final

Sunday conluded the season's T20 competition as the University of Queensland brought home yet another title. The team's golden run continued with 2 simple run chases as they claimed champion status once again.

With a new structure of only 3 finalist positions up for grabs, The University of Queensland took on Wynnum-Manly in the sole semi-final under lights on Friday night.

Winning the toss and sending the opposition into bat, UQ started off very strongly from both ends. The Sea-Eagles began at a run rate of just 4.33 in the first 6 overs before losing a wicket haulting their progress even more. With a move up the batting order, Hannah Tucker brought her team back into the fight striking 25 off 23. Wynnum just needed another batter to go with Tucker. On first grade debut for UQ, Kyrna Crump built on her reputation as she took figures of 3/15 after 4 being the standout in the middle overs. This helped restrict Wynnum to 10/81 which was always going to be tough to defend.

The second innnings began with a wicket off the first legal delivery, Wynnum looked in with a chance but were unable to grab a hold of this match. Having two explosive batters of Emma Jackson and Anlo van Deventer at the crease, going wicketless was not a sustainable option for Wynnum. Jackson's 37* off 23 at a strike rate of 160 and van Deventer's 38* off 30 was all UQ needed to complete a comfortable win in the 9th over.

After finishing 1st on the table, Sunshine Coast went head to head with the University of Queensland in this years grand final. The new look Scorchers won the toss and elected to bat hoping to pile on a huge first innings total, but this was not the case. Finishing the 9th over with an overall run rate of 3.89 was always going to prove difficult to push triple figures. Tarah Staines' middle over contribution of 26 off 22 was vital in this effort but no other batter stuck with her. The Melissa Bulow (player of the final) medal was awarded to Jess Daldy after a superb spell of 3/16 off 4.

The young leg spinner was last season's second highest overall wicket taker on 39 and has already taken 20 this season. Supporting Daldy with the ball, Tara Wheeler took 2/18 off 4 as spin played a huge role in the match.

Again, a chase too easy for the University of Queensland was completed just one wicket down with 7 overs to spare. Emma Jackson and Anlo van Deventer were once again the stable finishers both finishing on 43*. Opening bowler Catherine White was almost unplayable taking 1/9 off 3 but with these two powerful strikers at the crease, it was too easy for the Students.

Sunday's victory has cemented the University of Queensland's 3rd consecutive T20 title. Since taking over the captaincy in the 2019/2020season, Katelyn Beaumont has led UQ with a fantastic record. This has included 2x T20 Shields, 2x T20 Max Titles, 3x One day finalists, and 1 more T20 final appearance.

The Jodie Purves T20 Finals Series was also played across the weekend as Valley DCC took out the second grade title.