Cobo have been crowned as inaugural champions of the Women’s Super League after a final day double-header at Port Soif that saw them tie a thrilling match against closest challengers Irregulars.
Their superior run-rate meant that they were almost guaranteed of the title, but Cobo’s point for a tie against Irregulars confirmed their place at the top of the table. In the other match on the final match day, Wanderers edged past Salemites with just three balls of their innings left.
Cobo had started haltingly, losing four wickets cheaply in the face of some tight bowling, with Rosie Home picking up two wickets and then change bowler Philipps Stahelin grabbing two for herself. Sally Bushell’s 19 not out and a vital 14 from Katrina Guilbert saw Cobo struggle to just 62 for 4 from their 15 overs. However, Irregulars also struggled to break the shackles of some tight bowling, and despite Rachel Martel’s unbeaten 21, they could only match Cobo’s total.
The other match was nearly as tight. Batting first, Salemites finished on 85-5 from their 15 overs, a total built on the foundations of Annie Le Ray’s 28. In reply, Wanderers opener Amelia Wheatcroft gave the innings a great start, with four boundaries in her run-a-ball 25. But it took an unbeaten partnership between Charlotte Milner (12*) and Krista de la Mare (15*) to sneak Wanderers to victory in the final over.
Two close finishes were a fitting end to a first season of the Specsavers-sponsored league that has produced some excellent performances and has far exceeded the expectations of the organisers.
“We’ve come a very long way in just the last three to four months and the future is looking very rosy if we keep moving things forward and keep everyone engaged and enthused,’ said the GCB’s Dave Piesing.
“There are certainly some talented players out there with lots of potential who we didn’t even know existed just a few months ago.
“Lots of new players have emerged and been identified, with more coming through the schools. Converting enough of them into regular league players is crucial not only to grow the women’s game, but also to widen the pyramid of players and to grow the pool of players for the island squad.”
