Pearse shines in premiership victory

Pearse opened the bowling and took 1-20 from her five overs as Geelong posted 127 batting first.

Carlton’s chase looked to be on track at 5-94.

But the loss of top-scorer Sienna Sims for 35, sparked a collapse of 3-12.

Enter Pearse.

She showed nerves of steel, putting on an invaluable 21-run partnership with Sarah Byrne.

Pearse scored 10 not out from 18 balls, highlighted by a clutch boundary and the run that tied the scores at 127 apiece.

Geelong then took the key wicket of Byrne and dismissed captain Chand Negi for a duck.

Despite the scores finishing level, Carlton won the premiership by virtue of being the higher-ranked team at the conclusion of the Home & Away series of matches.