A look back at the BDCA women’s first grade season so far

The finals of the BDCA women’s first grade are just around the corner and the general bye for the Australia Day long weekend provides a chance to look back at how the season has shaped up so far. In a division that featured some early disruption due to Dalyellup’s move to second grade, the field stayed close. Donnybrook have been the team to beat for most of the season and come into the finals on a three-game winning streak. This season they have won seven games and only lost twice along with a no result. The pair of Stephanie Jolly (231 runs at 58) and Amber Boyd (142 runs at 35) have been instrumental for their team’s success. Smith took the season’s best figures of 6-6 against Dalyellup in round one. The other three teams were neck and neck heading into the finals but it was Colts who just pipped the pack by a quotient 0.008 to take the second spot. They were equal on five wins and five losses with Leschenault, who were in the top two heading into the final regular fixtures. Colts bowler Lily Finlay was the hero with a five-for in the first innings to dismiss Marist for 71 runs and set up a smooth chase to secure the win. While the Green Caps have missed the top two, it was not all bad news. UK import Hollie Perkin has been the league’s top scorer making 293 runs at an average of almost 49. Marist only missed out by two points after picking up four wins, four losses, one no result and a forfeit. With all teams to play in finals it will be Donnybrook facing Colts in the second semi final for a spot in the grand final. The loser of that game will then play the winner of the first semi final between Leschenault and Marist in the preliminary final.