Emma Manix-Geeves made a magnificent return to the Greater Northern Raiders, inspiring two huge Twenty20 wins over New Town in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League.
Returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with shin and quad injuries, the Riverside talent spent every minute of the day on the ground, compiling two huge unbeaten scores opening the batting before keeping wicket as the side maintained its 100 per cent campaign.
Facing half her side's deliveries in both contests, Manix-Geeves scored 87 not out in the first match and 81 not out in the second.
She also hit 18 of her side's 20 boundaries for the day and both of their sixes.
The Raiders' bowlers and fielders completed a superb day by amassing 10 clean bowled dismissals, one lbw and three run-outs as the team recorded victory margins of 86 and then 101 runs.
All of which left coach Darren Simmonds rather pleased, especially after an enforced six-week break between games.
"We played some really good cricket across the day," he beamed.
"We really wanted to hit the ground running again after such a long break and we certainly did that.
"Emma certainly set the tone for the day, she batted superbly. We spoke about her batting deep in both innings and she's really done that. It was a busy day for her.
"Our bowlers had a real plan how they wanted to go about things and they achieved that. We attacked the stumps and the wickets came. To get three run-outs as well shows the fielding has also continued on."
In the morning game, Manix-Geeves provided the backbone of the innings before cutting loose late on to see the team to 2-139.
Coping with the losses of Amy Duggan (three) and Montana Bradley (20), she found ideal support in Meg Radford.
A canny unbeaten innings of 13 involved nine singles as Radford consistently gave Manix-Geeves the strike.
The sensible ploy worked a treat as 30 runs were added off the last three overs.
Having compiled a composed half-century, Manix-Geeves went on the attack, adding 45 off her last 13 deliveries including 15 in the penultimate over.
Emma certainly set the tone for the day, she batted superbly
- Raiders coach Darren Simmonds
In reply, New Town were never in it, consistently losing wickets including clumps of 4-10 and 3-0.
Only two batters made double figures, Matilda Waddington top scoring with an unbeaten 21, as the team limped to 53.
All Raiders bowlers returned tidy figures topped by Alice McLauchlan (3-4 off three overs) and Kate Sherriff who registered 2-0 off just five deliveries.
Game two followed a similar pattern, as the Raiders again lost Duggan early but then never looked back, Manix-Geeves sharing an unbeaten 120-run with Montana Bradley who contributed 36.
Again, Manix-Geeves accumulated astutely, scoring just four runs between overs 12 to 14 but then 10 in overs 18 and 19 and 15 in the last including a maximum off the penultimate delivery.
The New Town reply made horrific reading for the home followers, featuring five ducks and a top score of 13 not out from Cassandra McLoughlin batting at eight and rescuing a team which had been on 6-14.
The Raiders' opening bowlers recorded splendid figures from their four overs apiece, Hannah Magor taking 3-8 and Sophie Parkin 3-10 while Caitlyn Webster clean bowled Jordi Smith with her solitary delivery.
Raiders host a double-header against North Hobart at UTAS Stadium next Sunday.
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
