Hurricanes end with close victory against Stars

The Hobart Hurricanes finished a disappointing season with just their second win of their WBBL03 campaign. The Melbourne Stars will feel that this was a game that they should have won as they put down a number catches that allowed the Hurricanes post 130 for 6.

It would prove to be just out of the Stars who lost wickets at crucial times to fall two runs short.The openers got the Hurricanes off to a steady start and were 37 for 0 from the powerplay. Steffanie was the first of the players to be dropped as the Stars captain could not hold onto a catch off the bowling of Georgia Elwiss.

It was not the most costly drop for the Stars as Daffara was to be stumped in the next over as Alana King for 13 from 17 balls.

Matthews was dropped in the covers by Chloe Rafferty on 29 as the West Indian was looking to score big.

The Hurricanes had expected big things from Matthews and she saved her best innings until her final match with a run a ball 44, before trying to hit one too many and Katie Mack held on at deep mid-wicket to give Erin Osborne the first of three wickets.Sasha Moloney was dropped at least twice before being bowled by Osborne for 14.

As in the last few games, it would be Georgia Redmayne who would anchor the Hurricanes innings with a score of 40 from 37 balls.With wickets in hand, the Hurricanes were able to throw the bat at the end of the innings and the Stars took advantage as Elwiss took two wickets in the last over.

The Stars got off to the perfect start in reply as Katelyn Fryett bowling the first over went for 13 runs.The two sides were on similar scores at the end of the powerplay stages, the Stars had lost a wicket more. Katey Martin in only her second game for the Stars played across the line and Hayley Matthews with a flatter quicker delivery trapped her lbw.

When Katie Mack was dismissed for 17 the Stars were suddenly on the back foot. They had players with the experience to see them home but wasn’t helped when Elwiss was run out for 13. Isobel Joyce reacted quickly off her own bowling and turned and threw to the bowler's end and Elwiss was well short.

Anna Lanning and King soon followed and the overs were running out as the run-rate was over seven an over.

Mackinley Blows and Anna Sutherland the Stars youngsters dragged the Stars back into the game. Blows hit two fours in the penultimate over.

It would mean that 11 were needed from the final over and when Sutherland scored four from the first ball it looked as if they could achieve it. They ran well, however, Blows hit one back to Matthews who ran out the batter, and end the Stars hopes.

Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars

Hobart Hurricanes 130 for 6 (Matthews 44, Osborne 3 for 23)

Melbourne Stars 128 for 7 (Osborne 30, Hancock 2 for 22)