In pursuit of Premierships
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
So nice they did it twice, the Melbourne University Women’s XI (Black) confirmed their status as the dominant force in Women’s Community cricket, claiming the Shield Premiership for the second year in a row on the weekend, while the Men’s 4th XI will be out to claim a flag of their own this weekend.
A comprehensive display to cap off another excellent season, MUCC had to conquer archrivals – both academically and in a cricketing sense – Monash University/ Noble Park, to claim the title.
No small feat, Monash had finished the season on top of the table, with fifteen wins and a remarkable net run rate of 4.408. Not overawed, MUCC instead entered the contest brimming with confidence following a nine-wicket semi-final victory over Greenvale.
Confidence that held them in good stead at Ross Reserve on Sunday, MUCC bowled first, restricting Monash to 7/123 from their 40 overs. An impressive display with the ball, Uni spread the love, with wickets shared between Emma Hallissey, Jemma Cox, Aswathi Shankar and Cath Grant, to go with three run-outs.
Although Uni could be well-pleased with the target, there is nothing like a small run chase to jangle the nerves in a Grand Final. Happily, MUCC was confidently led by Cox (19) and Shankar (37) at the top, before handy contributions from Butler (17), Grant (16) and Lopez (16 no), made a certainty of it.
A stunning achievement, huge congratulations to the team, ably led by Aswathi Shankar and coached by Hayden Lim. We look forward to seeing what comes next for the all-conquering Students!
Casting an eye to the weekend ahead, and Uni has the chance to secure a second Premiership in as many weeks, as the Men’s Fourth XI prepare to take to the field against Richmond.
At home at the Uni Main, it shapes as a wonderful opportunity for a side that finished on top of the ladder and has played in two comprehensive finals victories thus far.
Their semi-final win headlined by a virtuoso performance from Aanlin Cheeran (98 and 5/15), Ed will balance his pursuit for a Premiership medal with the GAMSAT on Sunday morning. Now there’s a MUCCer if there ever was one!
With play to commence at 10:30am on both Saturday and Sunday, we would love to see as many past and present MUCCers at the Main across the weekend to help get Torren and the boys over the line.
Go Uni!
