Under 17 Jones Shield Grand Final Result
ECA 6/182 d RDCA 108
Audrey McKinley 48, Bianca Broadbent-Siciliano 39, Reva Sharma 27* Lauren Soo 26 and 3/9
Player of the Match: Lauren Soo.
Audrey McKinley 48, Bianca Broadbent-Siciliano 39, Reva Sharma 27* Lauren Soo 26 and 3/9
Player of the Match: Lauren Soo.
Match Report
The ECAs Under 17 Girls have won the 2025 VMCU Jones Shield, soundly defeating Ringwood District at Myrtle Park in the Grand Final. The conditions were perfect for players, umpires and spectators as the best two sides in the Shield fought it out. We should acknowledge that due to turf ground availability the RDCA team, who finished top after the qualiying rounds, had to play their two 'home finals' away from home. A semi final in Wyndham Vale where they prevailed in a thriller against the WRJCA, and then ECA at Mrytle. That was a mighty effort.
ECA set up their win with positive batting in the first 30 overs of the match. ECA were sent in. After losing Franny Davis early, Audrey McKinley and Lauren Soo set about stabilising the innings. The pair ran between the wickets exceptionally well, picking off ones and twos and importantly turning over the strike to unsettle the bowlers. Audrey's trademark straight drives were on show - but despite the freshly mown outfield, there was not that much value for her drives down the ground. On most January days many of her 2s would have been 4s. The pair made the most of some luck (one missed run out in particular) and they posted an invaluable 57 run partnership before Lauren (26 from 53) was dismissed. As is often the case after a good partnership, another wicket falls quickly - it was skipper Emily Costigan who was on the wrong side of that cricket-quirk - dismissed for a duck. Bianca Broadbent-Siciliano came to the crease with a positive intent from ball one - pouncing on the loose (and even good) deleveries to accelerate the scoring rate with her impressive power hitting. She and Audrey posted a 67 run partnership to push the score to 167. Bianca's 39 came from 43 balls with five 4's and one six over square-leg. Reva Sharma picked up where Bianca left off - going at a good clip with Audrey. Audrey was eventually dismissed for 48 - run out after putting the team first trying to pinch a second run to the danger end. Reva finished with 27 not out and with a healthy 182 on the board, the match was the ECAs to lose.
The early overs of the bowling innings didn't exactly go according to plan. Whether it was nerves or trying too hard, the openers struggled to find their lines and were giving away wides at an alarming rate. A missed slips catch compounded things. Gerogina McLeod picked up an LBW against the flow of the game, a nerve-settler for everyone and it sparked much needed energy in the girls. Isla Clayton then struck, picking up the big wicket of the skipper to have the visitors 2/20. But RDCAs opener Maya Kelaita (18) and vice-captain Violet Muleta knuckled down - patiently picking the right balls to hit. Some more missed opportunities (a C&B chance for Audrey went begging as the ball was hidden in the sun) plus some other dropped catches that are best not dwelt upon. A strong breeze by now had sprung-up and with the umpires being (consistently) severe on wides, the sundries started to rack up again. Audrey then made the huge breakthrough picking up opner Maya for LBW. Shortly afer Abby Tyrell broke through the defences of Violet to bowl her. Lauren Soo's flighted deliveries were playing havoc with the RDCA middle order - she finsihed her excellent carnival with 3/9 to go with her 26 runs. All the momentum was now with the ECA. Audrey ran out two players with great throws (one a direct hit) and by now the result was a formality. Credit to RDCAs Jessica Smith who was not giving up her wicket (she finished 18 not out). Morgan Hodgetts bowled number 11 to seal the win.
Lauren Soo was awarded the Player of the Match Award as adjudged by the umpires.
Footnote: This is coach Josh Irish's 3rd season as coach of the Under 17 ECA VMCU Team. He maintained a calm and steady influence throughout the Carnival and we congratulate him on this fine achievement.
Audrey finished second in the carnival aggregate batting with 212 runs at 35.3, Lauren was fifth with 164 runs, and the second-most wickets with 13 at 7.08.
PlayHQ Scorecard
More Photos of this wonderful win will be posted on the Under 17s official gallery shortly.
ECA set up their win with positive batting in the first 30 overs of the match. ECA were sent in. After losing Franny Davis early, Audrey McKinley and Lauren Soo set about stabilising the innings. The pair ran between the wickets exceptionally well, picking off ones and twos and importantly turning over the strike to unsettle the bowlers. Audrey's trademark straight drives were on show - but despite the freshly mown outfield, there was not that much value for her drives down the ground. On most January days many of her 2s would have been 4s. The pair made the most of some luck (one missed run out in particular) and they posted an invaluable 57 run partnership before Lauren (26 from 53) was dismissed. As is often the case after a good partnership, another wicket falls quickly - it was skipper Emily Costigan who was on the wrong side of that cricket-quirk - dismissed for a duck. Bianca Broadbent-Siciliano came to the crease with a positive intent from ball one - pouncing on the loose (and even good) deleveries to accelerate the scoring rate with her impressive power hitting. She and Audrey posted a 67 run partnership to push the score to 167. Bianca's 39 came from 43 balls with five 4's and one six over square-leg. Reva Sharma picked up where Bianca left off - going at a good clip with Audrey. Audrey was eventually dismissed for 48 - run out after putting the team first trying to pinch a second run to the danger end. Reva finished with 27 not out and with a healthy 182 on the board, the match was the ECAs to lose.
The early overs of the bowling innings didn't exactly go according to plan. Whether it was nerves or trying too hard, the openers struggled to find their lines and were giving away wides at an alarming rate. A missed slips catch compounded things. Gerogina McLeod picked up an LBW against the flow of the game, a nerve-settler for everyone and it sparked much needed energy in the girls. Isla Clayton then struck, picking up the big wicket of the skipper to have the visitors 2/20. But RDCAs opener Maya Kelaita (18) and vice-captain Violet Muleta knuckled down - patiently picking the right balls to hit. Some more missed opportunities (a C&B chance for Audrey went begging as the ball was hidden in the sun) plus some other dropped catches that are best not dwelt upon. A strong breeze by now had sprung-up and with the umpires being (consistently) severe on wides, the sundries started to rack up again. Audrey then made the huge breakthrough picking up opner Maya for LBW. Shortly afer Abby Tyrell broke through the defences of Violet to bowl her. Lauren Soo's flighted deliveries were playing havoc with the RDCA middle order - she finsihed her excellent carnival with 3/9 to go with her 26 runs. All the momentum was now with the ECA. Audrey ran out two players with great throws (one a direct hit) and by now the result was a formality. Credit to RDCAs Jessica Smith who was not giving up her wicket (she finished 18 not out). Morgan Hodgetts bowled number 11 to seal the win.
Lauren Soo was awarded the Player of the Match Award as adjudged by the umpires.
Footnote: This is coach Josh Irish's 3rd season as coach of the Under 17 ECA VMCU Team. He maintained a calm and steady influence throughout the Carnival and we congratulate him on this fine achievement.
Audrey finished second in the carnival aggregate batting with 212 runs at 35.3, Lauren was fifth with 164 runs, and the second-most wickets with 13 at 7.08.
PlayHQ Scorecard
More Photos of this wonderful win will be posted on the Under 17s official gallery shortly.
Bianca Broadbent-Siciliano hit shots to all parts of the ground. Her 39 from 43 helped set up an impressive total to defend Photo ©Chris Mirabella 2025
Audrey McKinley anchored the ECAs innings with a patient knock of 48. Photo ©Chris Mirabella 2025
Lauren Soo is absolutely convinced with this one. The appeal was successful and Lauren finished with 3/9 for the match to go with her 26 runs. Lauren was player of the match as award by the officiating umpires. Photo ©Chris Mirabella 2025
Abbey Tyrell made a huge breakthrough bowling the RDCA Vice Captain and top scorer. Photo © Chris Mirabella 2025