In a remarkable display of skill, Tasmania Women dominated Victoria Women in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) match held at Junction Oval, Melbourne, on October 10th, 2025, clinching the victory by 108 runs. This commanding performance propelled Tasmania to the top of the WNCL standings early in the season.
Winning the toss, Tasmania chose to bat first and managed to post a solid total of 245 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. Opener Rachel Trenaman (31 runs off 31 balls) and Elyse Villani (59 runs off 67 balls) set a strong foundation. Villani’s innings was particularly noteworthy, as she struck nine boundaries and played with great finesse.
Contributions from Naomi Stalenberg (23), Kathryn Bryce (29), and Hayley Silver-Holmes (24 off 29) kept the scoreboard ticking, while extras added 30 runs, pushing Tasmania past the 240-mark.
On the Victoria side, the bowlers had a mixed outing. Sasha Maloney stood out with impressive figures of 3 for 24, claiming key wickets during the middle overs. Tess Flintoff (2 for 18) and Ella Hayward (2 for 28) also bowled economically, but Tasmania’s depth in batting ensured they maintained a steady flow of runs throughout the innings.
During Victoria’s turn to bat, they struggled to find their rhythm, being bowled out for just 137 runs in 29.2 overs. The early dismissals of Mia Perrin (9) and captain Nicole Faltum (7) left Victoria in a precarious position at 30 for 2.
Ella Hayward tried to stabilise the innings with a patient 19 off 34 balls, while Tess Flintoff showed some fight with an aggressive 46 off 47 balls, hitting four boundaries and a six, but unfortunately, the lack of support from other batters was telling. Tasmania’s disciplined bowling attack effectively dismantled the middle and lower order.
Hayley Silver-Holmes, who contributed significantly with both bat and ball, was named Player of the Match for her impactful performance. Her effective bowling and important runs in the first innings emphasised her role as a key all-rounder for Tasmania. Lauren Smith (2 for 43) and Courtney Sippel (2 for 8) also played crucial roles in quickly wrapping up Victoria’s innings, highlighting Tasmania’s dominance throughout the match.
This result showcased Tasmania Women’s strength and balance, blending experience with youthful talent. On the other hand, Victoria Women will need to regroup and address their batting issues as they look ahead to their upcoming WNCL matches. With this decisive win in Melbourne, Tasmania has set a strong tone for what promises to be an exciting season in Australia’s premier domestic women’s cricket competition.
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