Ipswich hits back to clinch Queensland vigoro crown
IPSWICH'S chances of winning the Queensland vigoro titles at Mackay seemed slim after an opening round outright defeat by defending champions Townsville.
But the Ipswich women weren't discouraged after keeping plenty up their sleeves, knowing they planned to face Townville in the final.
"They were pretty pumped up and we weren't," Ipswich captain Deanne Lawrie said.
"We didn't want to get too fired-up too early. We've done that in the past and it's gone pear-shaped."
"We didn't want to get too fired-up too early. We've done that in the past and it's gone pear-shaped."
Instead, Ipswich worked on bowling a new line to the champions. Rather than bowl at the stumps, feeding the hitting zones of the powerful Townsville batters, Ipswich bowled outside off-stump.
They were encouraged with what they saw, despite the heavy loss first up.
"I was probably more disappointed by our batting," Lawrie said.
Ipswich went on to beat Mackay, Fassifern and Cairns to reach the final against Townsville where they lost the toss and batted first.
"Our openers (Kerryn Graham and Kylie Henrich) went out and did really well," Lawrie said.
"I think the rest of us thought 'we can do that'."
Townsville hit back to have Ipswich 10-68 before the last wicket pair of Rachel Savage and Kate Johnstone added 37 to reach a total of 105.
Ipswich opening bowlers Clare Gillett and Deb Manietta got through the Townsville top order and Savage made some crucial breakthroughs.
However, it was Johnstone who took the final wicket with Townsville (102) within a boundary of victory.
"She hadn't bowled well all carnival," Lawrie said.
"But she came back and broke through."
It was then the Ipswich players celebrated.
"Initially it was an awesome feeling," Lawrie said. "After that it was just relief. To lose at that stage would have been pretty traumatic."
Initially it was an awesome feeling. After that it was just relief. To lose at that stage would have been pretty traumatic.
Ipswich's Veterans side lost their state final to Fassifern.
