Friday night lights suit Knights

COBDEN scored its third win in a row in penultimate round of the Warrnambool Moyne District Cricket Association women’s competition, defeating Mortlake on Friday night.

Playing under lights at the DC Farran Oval in Mortlake, the home team won the toss and elected to bat first.

A disciplined effort from the Knights saw Mortlake restricted to 8/62 from 25 overs.

“We were really happy with our bowling,” stand in Cobden captain Mikayla Hein said.

“It was a whole team bowling effort spread evenly, everyone took their chance to contribute.”

Shae DeFrancesco got the early breakthrough, bowling in-form Mortlake opener Wynter Bradbury for two.

Kelsey Fratantaro bowled Audrey Ringe, with Anna Dickson then taking two wickets in quick succession.

While the home team managed to bat out their overs, the Knights were pleased to restrict them to a relatively low score.

“We were really tight in the field and backed up our bowlers well.”

It took the Knights just 12.3 overs to pass Mortlake’s score for the loss of three wickets.

Opener Fratantaro top scored with 32 not out from 45 balls, with DeFrancesco unbeaten on 12 when the score was passed.

“Kelsey did a great job, it was one of her best innings.

“It was nice to get the win, we’ve enjoyed the Friday night atmosphere the last two weeks, there was a decent crowd at Mortlake.”

Friday, in the absence of leaders Ingrid Bellman and Abbie Hanks, was the first time Hein had led Cobden’s top team.

“I’ve had a bit of a go captaining on a Wednesday night (in the South West competition) so I had a bit of a handle on that even though they are different formats.

“It was good to be able to step up for Craig (coach Craig Hanks) with Ingrid and Abbie not there.”

In this week’s final round, fifth placed Cobden will host seventh placed Russells Creek at Ecklin on Sunday.

“There’s always a good atmosphere at Ecklin, we enjoy playing there.”

Cobden’s teams in the South West CA women’s competition resume tonight, with Cobden Blue playing Camperdown at Camperdown number two, while Cobden Gold play Ecklin at Ecklin.