CA Gold secured a comprehensive 148-run victory over CA Green on day three at Bankstown Oval, completing a dominant performance built on Anika Learoyd’s outstanding contribution across both innings and Frankie Nicklin’s match-winning effort with the ball.
Resuming at 56 for 5 in their second innings, CA Gold faced early pressure after their late slide on day two. Learoyd once again played a crucial role, remaining unbeaten on 68 off 138 balls to add to her first-innings 142*. She combined with Sianna Ginger, who made 25 off 48 deliveries, to stabilise the innings and push the total beyond 100.
Ginger’s dismissal at 97 for 6 gave CA Green a brief opening, with Hayley Silver-Holmes continuing her strong performance to finish with figures of 3 for 18 from eight overs. However, Learoyd held firm, and with support from Lucy Finn (17 off 50), ensured Gold maintained control.
A late surge came through Hasrat Gill, whose unbeaten 32 off 42 balls added momentum and helped CA Gold declare at 197 for 7 in 57 overs. The declaration set CA Green a target of 256 on a surface increasingly favouring the bowlers.
Nicklin leads decisive bowling effort
CA Green’s chase struggled from the outset. Rachel Trenaman fell early to Ginger, before Frankie Nicklin took charge with a decisive spell. She removed Emma de Broughe (12), Charli Knott (5) and Claire Moore (7) in quick succession, reducing Green to 36 for 4.
Eleanor Larosa (14) attempted to counter but was run out by Ginger, while Bridget Patterson (12) and Jemma Barsby (8) were unable to build partnerships under mounting pressure.
Lilly Mills then struck through the middle order, returning figures of 3 for 16 in eight overs. Her spell included the wicket of Hayley Silver-Holmes (23 off 27), along with Patterson and Barsby, further tightening Gold’s grip on the match.
Despite Milly Illingworth remaining unbeaten on 17, CA Green were unable to recover and were eventually bowled out for 107 in 41.3 overs. Nicklin finished with 4 for 26 in the innings, taking her match tally to eight wickets, while Mills’ contribution ensured the result was sealed without resistance.
Complete team performance seals victory
CA Gold’s win was shaped by contributions throughout the match. Their recovery from a difficult position in the second innings, led by Learoyd and supported by Gill’s late runs, set up a challenging target. The bowlers then executed their plans effectively to close out the contest.
The result highlighted a well-rounded performance from CA Gold, leaving CA Green unable to mount a comeback.
