Nagambie left clawed by Cats in Goulburn Murray Cricket Women’s League

By Hamish Donaldson

Jan 8, 2024

Eye on the ball: Shae Merrifield behind the stumps. Photos: Megan Fisher Photo by Megan Fisher

While cats and water famously don’t mix, Mooroopna went swimmingly against the Lakers on Saturday afternoon.

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Nagambie travelled to Mooroopna Recreation Reserve to take on the top team in the Goulburn Murray Cricket League on the afternoon of January 6.

With bat and ball, the home side looked dominant and, despite a spirited innings from Nagambie captain Kait Carracher, Mooroopna claimed the T20 match by 37 runs.

Force: Kait Carracher in the field. Photo by Megan Fisher

Mooroopna, who remains undefeated in its maiden season, won the toss and elected to get runs on the board.

Openers Gemma Boyd and Ebony Sleeth got the home side off to the best possible start, both retiring not out with 39 and 18 runs respectively.

The Cats prowled with Lauren Hall at the crease as she kept the runs flowing.

Amani Issell was the only Mooroopna player to lose her wicket, as Shae Merrifield caught and bowled the batter on eight runs.

Charlie Nicholson replaced Issell at the crease and saw out the remaining overs with Hall.

When the 20 overs were up, Mooroopna had a respectable 127 runs on the board, the third-highest T20 total in the league this season.

Steaming in: Alicia Nicol with ball in hand. Photo by Megan Fisher

With a tough task ahead of it, Nagambie needed a strong start, but it wasn’t to be.

Bella Woods bowled Merrifield for a duck with the last ball of the first over.

Kelsey Abbott set up at the crease and looked to get Nagambie back on track with a flurry of runs.

It was déjà vu for Woods, who picked up her second wicket in the sixth over when she bowled Merrifield for a duck. This time it was Evie who followed in Shae’s footsteps.

The weight of the game, like it has many times this season, rested on Karracher’s shoulders, but when the pressure is on, she usually performs her best.

Focus: Shelley Houston fielding for Nagambie. Photo by Megan Fisher

The captain made 45 runs off her 30 balls before having to retire.

While at the crease, Abbott, Sandy Ezard and Rylee Alderton all fell around their captain as Issell picked up a pair of wickets.

With only one player making substantial runs, the Lakers fell well short of the Cats’ total as they finished their 20 overs on 6-90.

The Cats’ comprehensive victory kept them on top of the table.

With finals quickly approaching, the Lakers will be looking to get back to winning ways against the Breretons Bakery NACC senior women this Sunday at the Nathalia Showgrounds.