Last wicket stand gets Ballarat Bolts hampered by injuries on the line | semi-final scoreboard

The Ballarat women’s cricket team will play for a third consecutive premiership after winning a semi-final under the most dramatic circumstances at the Eastern Oval.

Captain Nicole Edwards and young Megan O’Beirne produced a final wicket of 19 runs to take Ballarat Bolts across the finish line against Brighton in a semi-final of the Victoria Women’s Cricket One Day Competition Community Cricket Shield on Sunday.

Getting the leads wasn’t the only challenge for the latest pair. O’Beirne had to deal with back spasms that nearly denied him the chance to reach the crease.

The Bolts hoped the versatile teenager wouldn’t have to beat after limiting Brighton to 9-121 after 40 overs.

However, when Ballarat lost his ninth wicket at 106 after a mid-order collapse, O’Beirne had no choice.

She did enough to keep the game alive and bring Edwards to the edge of the win in the 34th.

Edwards’ experience was instrumental as she played with bat and ball and provided invaluable guidance to O’Beirne in difficult circumstances.

Edwards finished 33 not out (5 fours) – his highest score in a handful of innings this season – in a stay of more than an hour after taking a season-best 4-24 on eight overs.

Ballarat looked well placed after performing well on the court, with Emily McNeight also on target at 3-5.

McNeight, 51 (9 fours, 1 six), was leading from the front with the bat and while she was in the crease, Bolts seemed in control.

Brighton fought back taking it 3-6, including McNeight’s wicket, to have Ballarat 7-78 and the game on a knife edge.

It was to be Edwards who then provided a steady hand.

This is the Bolts’ first season in that grade after back-to-back premierships in the North West A one-day competition. They will meet minor premier Monash Uni in the grand final.

Senior sports journalist with The Courier in Ballarat.