CA Gold wrapped up a dominant 148-run victory over CA Green on day three at Bankstown Oval, finishing the job with clinical efficiency after setting the platform through a composed lower-order effort led by Anika Learoyd and Sianna Ginger.
Resuming day three at 5-56 in their second innings after a late collapse on day two, CA Gold were under some pressure to extend their lead. However, Learoyd once again rose to the occasion, anchoring the innings with a patient unbeaten 68 off 138 balls to follow up her first-innings 142*. She found early support in Sianna Ginger, who contributed a steady 25 from 48 deliveries. The pair helped stabilise the innings after the top-order struggles, adding valuable runs to push Gold past the 100-mark and reassert control over the contest.
Ginger’s dismissal at 97-6, briefly opened the door for CA Green. Silver-Holmes was once again impressive, finishing with 3 for 18 from eight overs, continuing her strong all-round showing in the match. However, any hopes of a quick finish were dashed as Learoyd remained resolute. She was joined by Lucy Finn (17 off 50), who played a supporting role in a steady partnership that further frustrated Green’s bowlers.
The defining late push came from Hasrat Gill, who struck an unbeaten 32 off 42 balls, injecting momentum into the innings and ensuring Gold stretched their total to 197 for 7 declared in 57 overs. That set CA Green a target of 256, a challenging chase on a surface that had begun to offer increasing assistance to the bowlers.
In response, CA Green’s chase faltered almost immediately. Rachel Trenaman fell early to Sianna Ginger, before Frankie Nicklin took control of the innings with a decisive spell. Nicklin’s accuracy and discipline proved too much for the Green top order, as she removed Emma de Broughe (12), Charli Knott (5) and Claire Moore (7) in quick succession. Her strikes reduced Green to 36-4, effectively putting Gold in command of the contest.
Eleanor Larosa (14) showed some intent but was run out by Ginger, while Bridget Patterson (12) and Jemma Barsby (8) were unable to build meaningful partnerships as the pressure mounted. Lilly Mills then delivered the decisive blow through the middle order, claiming 3 for 16 from eight overs. Her spell included the key wicket of Hayley Silver-Holmes, who had threatened briefly with a brisk 23 off 27 balls, as well as dismissals of Patterson and Barsby.
Despite a late resistance from Milly Illingworth, who remained unbeaten on 17, the target proved far beyond reach. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, and CA Green were eventually bowled out for 107 in 41.3 overs. Nicklin finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 26 in the innings, capping a match-winning performance with the ball, while Mills’ three wickets ensured there was no late twist.
CA Gold’s victory was built on key contributions across all three days, but their ability to recover from a day-two stumble and extend their lead through Learoyd’s composure and Gill’s late hitting proved decisive. From there, their bowlers executed with precision to close out the match, underlining a complete team performance that left CA Green with little room to mount a comeback.
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