Rising Palawa star Emma Manix-Geeves has lead the Tasmanian Tigers Women to their second successive victory over New South Wales (NSW) Women in the 6th Round of the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL).
The wicketkeeper / batter scored an unbeaten 76 from 102 balls to successfully guide the Tasmania to victory, the Tigers chasing down NSW's 226 with seven wickets and more than 12 overs to spare.
Coming to the crease with the Tigers in trouble at 2-14 after NSW allrounder Sammy-Jo Johnson (2-40) dismissed Tasmania's top order batters Rachel Trenaman (5) and Ellyse Villani (6) cheaply, Manix-Geeves went about rebuilding the Tigers' innings alongside South African overseas import Lizelle Lee.
The pair put on 122 for the third wicket with Manix-Geeves anchoring the partnership whilst Lee (70), played the aggressor role in the three figure stand.
Striking all but one of the 12 boundaries in the partnership, Lee punished NSW's over-pitched deliveries whilst Manix-Geeves rotated the strike, regularly finding gaps in the field to keep the Tigers ahead of the required run-rate.
Lee's dismissal brought NSW back in the game after Erin Burns (1-37) broke the partnership when Lee attempted to work a full, turning ball to the leg side trapping her plumb in front.
However the loss of Tasmania's third wicket would be NSW's last taste of success in the match, with Manix-Geeves continuing her brilliant form with new partner Naomi Stalenberg (50* from 42 balls).
The middle order duo partnered on an unbeaten 93-run stand, with Stalenberg picking up where Lee left off, striking seven boundaries and a six in an impressive dispay of controlled hitting.
The mainstay in the Tigers' innings was not to be outdone, with Manix-Geeves collecting 7 boundaries of her own on a lightning fast Blundstone Oval, seeing her side home for a bonus point victory halfway through the 38th over after pulling a short ball from NSW captain Sammy-Jo Johnson to the leg side fence.
Commending the partnership of Lee and Manix-Geeves, Tigers' batting allrounder Naomi Stalenberg said the anchor role played by Manix-Geeves provided the Tigers with an opportunity to attack the experienced NSW bowling attack both early and late in the chase.
"Their partnership got us into a strong position to make sure the bonus point was always within reach", she said.
"Em's steady and risk-free innings against an experienced NSW attack was exactly what we needed.
"It was nice to go out there in the 24th over with Em and have the opportunity to hit the ball hard and play with freedom against their lineup."
Earlier in the match the Tigers restricted the visiting NSW side to a mediocre score of 226, largely thanks to a five wicket haul from medium pace bowler Sarah Coyte (5-30).
NSW were in a strong position at 2-150 in the 38th over with Claire Moore (60) and Gumbaynggirr prodigy Annika Learoyd (45) partnering in an 87-run 3rd wicket stand, however a steady flow of wickets throughout the remaining 12 overs saw NSW stumble with the bat, bowled out on the last ball of their innings.
Kamilaroi allrounder Hannah Darlington remained the not-out batter, scoring a quick-fire 25* from 20 balls.
Tasmania's bonus point victory follows their 10-wicket win against NSW two days earlier which saw home side bowl out NSW for 129 inside 40 overs.
Rachel Trenaman (41) and Lizelle Lee (70*) made light work of the chase in the match, seeing the Tigers to victory in just 21 overs.
The back-to-back victories leave the Tigers sitting fourth on the WNCL ladder with 14 points, with NSW in 5th on 8 points.
