Sport
12 November, 2025
Tiger women claim big scalp
SIMPSON’S women’s team has claimed a big scalp early in the 2025/26 season with a narrow win over Birregurra on Sunday.
Simpson won the toss and sent the home team in, with last season’s finalists Birregurra making 7/121 from their 25 overs.
“For the most part our bowling was tight,” Simpson captain Chelsea Osburn said.
“It was a quick outfield, their ground was very good, the runs scored against us wasn’t a reflection on our bowling which was very impressive.”
Osburn took the first wicket to fall, with Shae DeFrancesco taking 2/18 from five overs and Kelsey Fratantaro with 2/27 from five leading the way.
Esha Crole and Millicent Saunders also took a wicket each.
DeFrancesco and Fratantaro also played a major role with the bat in the run chase.
Both made the 30-run retirement mark, with both coming back at the end of the innings.
DeFrancesco was dismissed for 37 from 32 balls, with Fratantaro scoring a career best 40 not out from 51 balls as Simpson passed Birregurra’s score in the 24th over, finishing at 8/126.
“Kelsey really stood up with (key player) Bianca Robinson out, it was easily her best innings for the club,” Osburn said.
“She was never flustered, she was cool, calm and collected all the way through, the performance she put on did us proud.”
Osburn also had praise for DeFrancesco’s all round game.
“Shae has been a great addition to have full time this year after filling in for us a couple of times last year.
“We approached her early to get her on board, what she brings is next level, not just with bat and ball but with her leadership and being a great onfield teacher.”
The win sees Simpson unbeaten after three rounds with two wins and a washout.
“We went in seeing it as a good game to see where we stand and compare ourselves against a strong team.
“We’ve got a couple of girls new to cricket who have already slotted in well and are making a contribution.”
This week Simpson will play Irrewarra at Colac Secondary College Oval.
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