Wests Salute!

As the Katherine Raymont Shield and Jodie Purves Shield have come to an end, two new champions were crowned. An impressive way to close out the season included stellar performances from both winning sides from the 1st and 2nd grade competition respectively. 

In a highly anticipated match up, Sandgate-Redcliffe took on Western Suburbs at Trevor Hohns Field.

The Gators won the first battle of the day – the toss and elected to bat. On just the second ball of the match, Lilly Bassingthwaighte dismissed star batter Georgia Voll.

Coming off mass runs in the WPL, Voll was certainly a valuable wicket to secure early. Walking to the crease at just 2/6, Meagan Dixon (44 off 81) was able to get Sandgate back on track in the runs department. Dixon has played an important role for Sandgate as a senior player, most notably hitting 64 runs earlier in the summer.

With the endless fall of wickets, it was certainly a challenge to build a partnership. Lilli Hamilton and Ayaka Stafford once again being clinical with the ball taking 2 wickets each at under 3 per over. A backend 40 off 82 for Charlotte Lutz was vital in guiding Sandgate to 9/169. 

Coming up against a full-strength Western Suburbs side was always going to be a challenge, especially as Georgia Redmayne began striking the ball.

The captain made an effortless 86* off 95 in a clinical display for her side. Coming off 97 in the WNCL final just two weeks ago, it was no surprise the left-handers form continued for Wests.

Ruby Strange (62* off 66) also played an important role forming a 119-run partnership with Redmayne. In just the 33rd over, the total of 169 was chased with ease as Western Suburbs secured the Katherine Raymont Shield for the 2024/25 season.  

In second grade, Northern Suburbs took the unorthodox approach in finals cricket, sending University of Queensland in to bat first. Being gifted with one of the fastest outfields in Queensland – Ian Healy oval, this decision was certainly a surprise.

UQ started off strongly as opener Hayley Campbell bashed 22 off 27 deliveries. A fine display of pace bowling from Shalean Turner (3/22) ended Cambell’s innings. The most influential display of batting came from Bree Craven crunching 41 off 43 deliveries. A quick flurry of wickets followed as the Bookworms lost 6/37 to end the innings with a total of 124. 

Losing their first wicket with 72 runs on the board, Northern Suburbs were just moments away from victory before an unforeseen collapse began.

Taylor Hamblin got Norths off to a flying start as the powerful batter struck 40 (57). The opener finished the season with 521 runs claiming the second position for the competition. Following Hamblin’s dismissal, Norths lost 3-22 and certainly looked uneasy. Consistent with the ball across the entire season, Kyrna Crump finished with figures of 2/13 off 7 overs. The Toowoomba product has taken 56 wickets this summer with 29 being in the Jodie Purves Shield.

Norths continued to slowly score runs although wickets continued to fall. At 5-119, Olivia Clark made a late comeback taking 2 wickets in an over. As each run became vital, with just 3 wickets remaining Norths were able to chase the total.

In this exciting final that came down to the wire, Northern Suburbs claimed the 2024/25 Jodie Purves Shield.  

As has been the case all season, The Courier-Mail produced comprehensive coverage of the women's and men's finals in the KFC Queensland Premier Cricket competition. Their report can be accessed at: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sport/katherine-raymond-shield-premiers-western-suburbs-meet-every-member-of-the-side-here/news-story/c7b9957e4f4ceb5e2c409ada736a258a