GMC Women’s | Patabandige at her damaging best to secure Shepparton United’s second win

Nov 24, 2021

Going large: Echuca’s Sienna Varcoe goes to cow-corner. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Shepparton United bowled the lights out at Princess Park to go atop the Goulburn Murray Cricket Women’s A-grade table on Sunday.

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United was ruinous with the two-piece against reigning premier Echuca after winning the toss and sending the Murray Bombers in to bat.

From the outset, Dinesha Patabandige had the game by the scruff of its neck.

Safe hands: Echuca wicketkeeper Kate Carlile with a clutch grab. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

With Echuca only able to field 10 players, United’s opener cut the opposition to ribbons as she snared 3-8 and took four catches in the first innings to land the Murray Bombers in hot water, all out for 31.

But she was far from done.

Line and length: United’s Thushali Premarathna fizzes one down. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Opening the batting, Patabandige (15 not out) carried her bat all the way to see United chase down Echuca’s total in the 12th over for the loss of just two wickets.

Across at Yarrawonga’s Stan Hargreaves Oval, Beechworth Wanderers made light work of Leitchville-Gunbower to get off the mark.

Last season’s premiership bridesmaid skittled L-G for 22 as Abby McConchie cleaned up the tail with a dazzling hat-trick to claim round-best figures of 4-3.

Tough luck: Echuca’s Melissa Ferguson departs for a duck. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

With the brunt of heavy lifting completed, Wanderers’ openers Alex Randell (11 not out) and Breanna Wojtowyez (10 not out) steered the side home to a classic 10-wicket triumph.

In B-grade, Kyabram Recreation Reserve entertained a tantalising derby which had the Redbacks hold on white-knuckled for a slender 13-run win over Echuca.

Letting rip: Danielle Garden in action for Echuca. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

Holly Butler’s 28 retired carried the host to 5-103, and though nails were down to the nub defending its total, Echuca ran out of steam at the death to finish up on 6-90.

Elsewhere, Kyabram Fire Brigade collected four points after breezing past the Magpies to seal a nine-wicket win while Nathalia fell at the hands of Bamawm Lockington United.

Hitting her mark: Echuca’s Isla Laffy. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

And in the newly formed under-14 Youth Girls grade, Echuca Stars hit the ground running with a six-run victory over Kyabram Fire Brigade Flamettes, with Chloe Moyle’s 27 not out the standout.

Lastly, Rochester Renegades posted 3-98 and remained disciplined with ball in hand to shut out Moama for its debut win.