SYCU bowler Alicia Kazayi prepares to bowl.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
It was a new dawn for Cricket Shepparton’s four women’s cricket clubs, with Shepparton Youth Club United, Nagambie, Mooroopna, and Kyabram launching a revamped local competition's 2025-26 season.
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A fresh-faced SYCU flexed its muscle against the Redbacks in Saturday’s T20 clash at John Riordan Oval, with skipper Lia Beecroft and Mel Saunders both raising the bat in United’s first innings total of 1-139.
Kyabram’s Becky Bruce snared the lone wicket of Di Poole, but the SYCU opening bat didn’t miss out with the ball, claiming best figures of 3-11.
But it was newly introduced SYCU pace ace Alicia Kazayi who made an eye-catching start to the season, with her second and third deliveries of the year resulting in wickets.
It was a destructive opening spell that set the tone for the hosts, with the highly touted bowler ending with 3-12 as they restricted the Redbacks to 8-97.
Rebecca Bowles was in good form with 51 not out, while Mel Parsons chipped in with 33 in a 73-run dig with the Redbacks top scorer.
But the day belonged to SYCU to the tune of 42 runs, and skipper Lia Beecroft was understandably pleased with their “great start to the season.”
“We weren't sure how we were going to go; we lost a few players since last season,” Beecroft said.
“I had some girls playing their first game, they’ve been to maybe one or two training sessions.
“Everyone sort of reached out to their social groups to see who we could get, who was interested, just trying to introduce people into the game.
“It was a really good result, all things considering.”
Saunders, striking her 52 runs off only 43 deliveries, earned high praise alongside Poole from her captain, while Beecroft flagged Kazayi as one to watch.
“Di Poole with the ball always does a fantastic job,” she said.
“Kazayi was lucky enough to get a few, I think all three of them were bowled which was good.
“She’s going to be a weapon, she bowls pretty quick in the nets.
“Once we zero her in a bit more, she's going to be pretty lethal.”
The following day, Nagambie Reserve hosted the highly anticipated grand final rematch between the Lakers and Mooroopna.
The Cats got the cream in last year’s decider, but Nagambie earned some slight revenge in a tense four-run victory.
Breanna Davison pummelled 55 runs while Shelley Houston compiled a run-a-ball 32 to propel the Lakers to a score of 5-143, with Mia Earl’s 2-23 and a wicket apiece Alyce O’Connell, Ebony Sleeth, and Charlie Nicholson ensuring Nagambie’s total remained south of 150.
Ebony Sleeth and Alyse O’Connell laid a strong platform in the run chase with 30 and 32 respectively, disrupted only by timely dismissals from Kayla Sheperd and Sarah Villinger within four balls.
Still needing 70 runs from the remaining seven overs, Mia Earl (34 not out) and Amani Issell (28 not out) made a blistering late charge, but even with Earl’s final ball maximum, there wasn’t enough time for the Cats to complete the comeback.
