![Tasmanian Tigers wicket-keeper Emma Manix-Geeves is congratulated by her teammates. Picture by Rick Smith Tasmanian Tigers wicket-keeper Emma Manix-Geeves is congratulated by her teammates. Picture by Rick Smith](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/196462108/8e40eb35-dbb9-4ae3-a419-ec02cb8b1f0d.jpg/r0_393_4785_3030_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Tasmanian Tigers have become the second-most successful state in Women's National Cricket League history after lifting their third-straight trophy.
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Playing the final at Blundstone Arena against Queensland, the Tigers chased down the Fire's 7-248 with 14 balls to spare.
Nicola Carey put in a brilliant display as she hit 111 not out off 135 balls - including the winning runs - as well as taking 1-47.
Charli Knott was best for Queensland, with her counter-attacking knock of 73 off 61 helping the visitors post a defendable total. Heather Graham was the Tigers' best with the ball, claiming 3-39.
The formidable opening duo of Georgia Redmayne and Georgia Voll - who have scored more than 500 runs together this season - continued their terrific form as partners as they combined for 52 with some enterprising stroke play. It came to a crashing halt in Sasha Moloney's first over though, as Riverside and Greater Northern Raiders product Emma Manix-Geeves produced an outstanding catch behind the stumps. As the Longford product's delivery drifted down the leg-side, Redmayne (23 off 25) attempted to sweep but only managed a slight connection as Manix-Geeves displayed quick footwork to get her gloves in the way.
![Heather Graham celebrates her first of three wickets. Picture by Rick Smith Heather Graham celebrates her first of three wickets. Picture by Rick Smith](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/196462108/fc543c1a-e35e-45e9-bde1-155464cd7d6d.jpg/r0_342_3264_2571_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The reigning premiers took the incentive from there.
Nicola Carey bowled economically to frustrate Queensland's batters, before Voll (33 off 48) was too eager to clip a Lauren Smith delivery to square-leg and played a leading edge straight back to the bowler. Losing 2-7, the Fire looked to steady through Lauren Winfield-Hill and Mikayla Hinkley and the pair delivered.
Weathering the Tigers' accuracy, Queensland consolidated and kept the score ticking over as a second partnership reached 50.
Tasmania's bowling depth was on display through the middle overs as Graham came on as their seventh option.
Bowling just full of a great length, her ball was misjudged by Winfield-Hill (28 off 51) who tried to swipe across the line and the ball cannoned into middle-stump.
![Queensland's Charli Knott is bowled after scoring 73 off 61 balls. Picture by Rick Smith Queensland's Charli Knott is bowled after scoring 73 off 61 balls. Picture by Rick Smith](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/196462108/dc2e406e-386d-4062-8df5-b7dcbbf83dde.jpg/r0_0_4279_2624_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Knott provided some much-needed run-scoring for the Fire and looked to build a third partnership of substance for her side, but Hinkley became the fourth batter to not convert a start as she departed for 33.
But Knott continued upping Queensland's run-rate, smacking 11 fours before she became Graham's third victim.
Posting 7-248, the Fire were off to a flyer when Voll trapped Lizelle Lee lbw for one. Elyse Villani had more success for the hosts, hitting four boundaries in her knock of 32, but she was trapped adjacent to the stumps by Queensland seamer Nicola Hancock.
Similar to the first innings, it was Carey and Graham who gave the Tigers middle overs dominance, taking the score from 2-50 to 3-182.
Requiring 67 off 72, the Tigers looked to be coasting to a third-consecutive WNCL trophy, but Voll would strike again as Graham misjudged a reverse sweep. Voll's golden arm status was confirmed three balls later when Naomi Stalenberg sliced her cut-shot to Hancock.
From 2-182 to 4-182, Manix-Geeves arrived at the crease under immense pressure. Initially handing the strike over to the in batter, the right-hander grew in confidence as she added boundaries, before guiding Carey to a well-deserved century.
With 15 balls left, Carey lofted over mid-on to secure the remaining four runs and deliver the historic victory.