The SA Scorpions have missed an opportunity for swift revenge on Tasmania in the WNCL, falling to a two-wicket defeat and departing the southern isle winless from two attempts.
The Tigers were strong with the ball, restricting the Scorpions to 223 from their full complement of overs before producing a lower-order fightback with the bat to win with 10 balls to spare.
First-year Scorpion quick Courtney Neale starred with the ball for South Australia, dismissing the key Tasmanian trio of Elyse Villani, Lizelle Lee and Heather Graham in her first three overs to get the visitors defence off to a great start.
With the bat, skipper Jemma Barsby and Kate Peterson, who came together with the score 6-93, combined for an 88-run partnership that saw the Scorpions able to set a competitive chase for the reigning WNCL champions.
Sent in to bat by the hosts, South Australia’s top order were unable to get going as Tasmania fond consistent wickets throughout the innings, highlighted by all seven bowlers used getting amongst the wickets.
Managing to see out their 50 overs after falling to 3-20 and then 6-93, the Scorpions were able to set a total of 9-223 on the back of Barsby’s 61 from 64 and Peterson’s 50 from 72.
Her maiden WNCL half-century, Peterson was a perfect partner to her skipper, finding six boundaries to keep the score ticking over as the pair revived the innings to give SA hope.
Fireworks signalled the beginning of the Tigers’ chase as Neale rattled Villani’s middle stump with the second ball of the opening over. So often the villain for SA fans, Villani’s wicket had the Scorpions on the front foot straight away.
Neale’s third over was even better, with Josie Dooley and Maddie Penna each taking a catch to have the scoreboard showing 3-20 and figures of 3-8 for the SA quick.
Rising star Ella Wilson then found a way through Naomi Stalenberg to claim her first wicket before the spin of Amanda-Jade Wellington and Barsby sent Emma Mannix-Geeves and Nicola Carey back to the sheds and the scoreboard operators placing a six in the wickets column.
Unfortunately for the Scorpions, Amy Smith and Molly Strano then joined forces to put on a steadying 64-run partnership, with Lauren Smith then joining in following the dismissal of the former Smith as Tasmania found the winning runs to break SA hearts and remain undefeated this season.
South Australia now enter the holiday break looking to regroup before crucial double-headers against Queensland and Victoria in January.