EMP claim back-to-back Premier Firsts T20 titles

After being set just 52 to win, EMP opened with Molly Strano, of Melbourne Renegades and VicSpirit, and Kristen Beams, of Southern Stars, Melbourne Stars and VicSpirit.
 
With a low total to defend early wickets and tight bowling was required.

Unfortunately for cricket lovers who look for a competitive game and Melbourne supporters, only the latter was achieved.

Sonia Odedra was the pick of the bowlers, delivering the only maiden of the innings as her four overs went for 13 runs.
 
Beams and Strano knocked off the runs inside 12 overs as they finished on 19 and 28 respectively, securing a 10-wicket win for EMP.
 
In the first innings Melbourne stuttered their way to a below par score of 8-51 as only two players reached double figures, both scoring 12.
 
Emma Kearney who plays for Melbourne Stars and VicSpirit opened alongside her captain and Melbourne Renegades and VicSpirit bowler Brianna Binch.
 
Kearney got the breakthrough in her second over as she trapped Odedra for nought with the score on five.
 
Beams was introduced in the fourth over and it proved a successful change as she had Hayley Jensen, her Stars teammate, caught by Emily McIntyre for nought after one run had been added.
 
Strano picked up her first as she bowled wicketkeeper and opener, Kylie Crowley, for 12 with the score on 14.
 
Two wickets fell following Melbourne’s highest partnership of 11 as McIntyre had Amy Vine caught Jane Neil and Amy Yates caught Strano for six and five respectively with the score on 25.
 
The sixth wicket to fall came after a direct hit run out from Emma Lynch which saw the end of Sarah Tatchell for three.
 
McIntyre picked up her third, as she had Natalie Plane caught Beams for a single, to finish with figures of 3-12 from her four overs which included a maiden.
 
Strano claimed her second as she had Melbourne’s captain Anna O’Donnell caught by Lou Caluzzi for four with the score on 44.
 
Melbourne finished on 51-8 from their 20 overs as Georgia Ricardo and Grace Mills finished unbeaten on 12 and four respectively.
 
Strano was named player of the match for the second consecutive final for her figures of 2-9 and 28 not out off 34, an innings which included four fours.
 
Congratulations to EMP on their sixth Women’s Firsts T20 title and good luck to both teams for the remainder of the one day season.