The contest went down to the wire at Kyabram Recreation Reserve on Sunday, with the Redbacks chasing down Echuca’s first-innings total of 5-98 six wickets down with an over to spare.
Grace Riddell’s 14 runs and Mia Arthurson with 13 propelled Echuca towards 100 with extras adding 43 runs to the total.
Micaela Herbert and Grace Hammond were the Redbacks’ only wicket-takers, with run-outs responsible for three of Echuca’s dismissals.
In defence of its total, Echuca’s Jordan Dalziel claimed the early wicket of Hammond for just four runs, and when Holly Smith’s wicket of Chelcee Shubert reduced the Redbacks to 2-29, it looked like it was game on.
Sarah Dodd mounted the Kyabram comeback with 27 runs, and a blistering Breanna Baker innings of 34 off 21 deliveries sealed the flag for the Redbacks on the final ball of the 19th over.
“Having a go in a big grand final like that, especially after an undefeated season, it is definitely an awesome feeling,” Redbacks skipper Emma Roberts told Kyabram Free Press.
“To come away with the big win is a massive achievement for us.
“There are a lot of girls in our side who have stuck in this competition for the last few years, and also some really new additions as well, and I think it goes to show the effort that we have put in at training and building up our skills was really proven in Sunday’s game.”
THE GAME
Echuca 5-98 (Grace Riddell 14 retired, Mia Arthurson 13 retired, Micaela Herbert 1-9) lost to Kyabram 4-100 (Breanna Baker 34 not out, Sarah Dodd 27, Zoe Cook 1-9)
