The 18th match of the T20 Spring Challenge 2025–26 brought an exciting showdown between Melbourne Renegades Women and the ACT Meteors Women, with the Renegades managing to clinch a nail-biting three-wicket victory at Blacktown Olympic Park No. 2. Both teams put up a commendable fight, displaying talent and resilience, but it was the Renegades who held their nerve in the clutch moments of the game.
After winning the toss, the Meteors opted to bat first and started with a confident opening partnership. Carly Leeson and skipper Olivia Porter looked promising at the crease, with Leeson blitzing her way to 25 runs off just 18 balls before Sarah Coyte got her out in the fifth over. Though ACT lost an early wicket, Porter remained composed, anchoring the innings with her steady play. She found good support from Rachel Carroll, who contributed 17 runs off 22 balls, helping the team past the halfway mark without further trouble.
When Carroll fell around the 11-over mark, Annie Wikman joined Porter, and together they formed another valuable partnership. Wikman’s 15 off 15 balls helped build the innings during the middle overs. Meanwhile, Porter played a captain’s knock, ending her innings with an impressive 57* runs off 55 deliveries, which included three fours and two massive sixes. She remained not out, steering her team to a respectable total of 140 for 3 by the end of the 20 overs, and Zoe Cooke also added a useful 12* to round off the innings.
On the bowling front, the Renegades were disciplined and efficient. Milly Illingworth led the bowling attack, claiming 1 for 22 in her four overs, while Samara Dulvin also shone, giving away only 20 runs in four overs while taking a wicket. Sarah Coyte backed them up nicely with 1 for 33. The rest of the bowlers, including Zoe Samuel and Jasmine Nevins, were effective in keeping the run rate in check, especially during the death overs.
Chasing a target of 141, the Melbourne Renegades started aggressively but faced an early setback when Tess Flintoff was dismissed for a duck. Opener Courtney Webb, however, stepped up and played a brilliant innings, combining aggression with smart shot selection. She struck 10 boundaries on her way to a match-winning 69 off 53 balls, perfectly pacing her innings and building crucial partnerships. Olivia Henry chipped in with 8 runs, but regular wickets kept the pressure on the Renegades.
The turning point came when Webb teamed up with Sarah Coyte, who added a quickfire 23 off 14 balls, featuring three boundaries. Their partnership brought the Renegades close to victory, surpassing 130 runs before Coyte was dismissed by Carly Leeson. Despite losing a few late wickets, the Renegades crossed the finish line off the penultimate ball, finishing at 141 for 7.
The ACT bowlers put up a good fight to defend their score. Holly Ferling was outstanding, taking 1 for 20 in 3.5 overs. However, Grace Dignam was exceptional and stood out with figures of 2 wickets for 14 runs in her 4 overs. Gabrielle Sutcliffe also took 2 wickets in her spell. While Carly Leeson finished with 1 for 37. Amy Yates and Annie Wikman bowled economically at times, but they couldn’t quite manage to halt Webb’s momentum.
In the end, it was Courtney Webb’s standout performance that defined the match; her mature innings ensured the Renegades emerged victorious. Though Olivia Porter’s unbeaten 57 for the Meteors was exceptional and set up the match nicely, it ultimately wasn’t enough to secure the win. Both teams showed incredible spirit, but the Renegades’ depth and Webb’s cool head in pressure situations allowed them to seal a memorable three-wicket win in this thrilling contest.
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