Chloe Piparo, batting, will be a key player for Midland Guildford this weekend.
Camera IconChloe Piparo, batting, will be a key player for Midland Guildford this weekend. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Swans hope to spoil party as Melville seeks fifth title

Justin BianchiniHills Avon Valley Gazette

The final starts at 11am, pitting together the two clubs who fought out last month’s Twenty20 decider at the same venue, which Melville won by 25 runs.

The Storm, following four straight titles, will head in as the favourites against a Swans team who have not played in an A-grade final since 2013.

Midland-Guildford will also be without 2015-16 top scorer Elyse Villani (420 runs), who is away with the Southern Stars in India for the ICC Women’s World T20.

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Honours are even between the two clubs in 50-over cricket this season with one win apiece, though Midland-Guildford won the last clash by three wickets at Tompkins Park led by Chloe Piparo’s 44.

Of course, Melville won last month’s T20 decider which shows its experience in the big games.

The Swans batting line-up has been the driving force behind their success this season which helped them finish with a 5-1 record, ahead of Melville (4-2).

Swans opening batswoman Piparo looms as a key with the second-most runs in Female A-grade this season; 343 including two centuries.

Mathilda Carmichael is Melville’s leading scorer with 270 runs including two hundreds, while experienced duo Jenny Wallace and Renee Chappell have contributed throughout.

Melville’s strength is in its bowling, as shown by its T20 grand final performance where Emma Biss was the Player of the Match with three wickets in her first over, including Villani first ball.

Ex-Southern Stars spinner Chappell is the competition’s leading wicket-taker with 13 dismissals at 8.85, while Biss (10 wickets) and Wallace (nine, including a six-wicket haul against the Swans) have been prolific.

Midland-Guildford’s best bowler has been Taneale Peschel with 10 wickets, while ex-Fury spinner Mel Holmes has claimed seven dismissals this campaign.