Spotswood was already winners on the field this season in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association women’s south-west social T20 competition, without taking results into account.
Getting a side on the park for the first time was a big achievement for the club, with improvement coming each weeK.
The icing on the cake was getting their first win on the board.
Coach Sandeep Mandalika said for the group it was pretty special to have that feeling of getting a win.
“It was unbelievable,” he said. “It was really tense.
“The ladies were playing well and ended up winning by four runs. They were so fired up and so excited to get the win.”
The win, let alone the match, almost didn’t happen.
It was scheduled for round four of the competition, but was abandoned due to wet weather.
The two teams played a rescheduled match on 18 January before the second half of the season resumed.
Hoppers Crossing made 3-105 from its overs. Rose Beckett took two wickets for Spotswood.
Spotswood finished 5-109, hitting the winning runs with four balls remaining.
Beckett top scored with 15.
For Spotswood, it was really a new beginning with the side.
Of the 14 players, 13 of them had never played cricket in a competition before.
“They’ve only played five or six games and they’ve won their first game,” Mandalika said.
“The progress from week to week … They’ve caught the cricket bug and it has been unbelievable to watch.
“I didn’t think they would progress so quickly with batting, bowling and fielding. They’ve picked up all the skills.”
The group Spotswood has together ranges from 55 to 14.
There’s women who work in corporate, some are pilates instructors, there’s mums and those who had been involved with the club.
Mandalika said they whole group was really committed.
“It’s been a great initiative to get the ladies up and running, especially in a Subbies club.
“Everyone has rallied around it.”
The side had a bye in the first round back after the break.
Mandalika said they had been itching to get back out there and go again.
Spotswood faces Hoppers Crossing again on Sunday.
“It’s more about process than results,” he said.
“It was great to get the first win and now they want to win some more games.
“There’s a great feeling around the change room.
“It’s about keep improving and take it one step at a time.”
