To kick off 2026, the Spotswood Wolves were on the road to take on Hoppers Crossing. The squad were well rested after the break and raring to go on a hot day and on a really dry surface.

Captain Amanda Beckett won the toss and elected to bowl first. Hoppers came out swinging with early boundaries. The Cats had 15 off the first two overs before Mel Finlay got the first breakthrough, cleaning up the aggressive Hoppers opener.

Hoppers were still motoring along at 7 an over after 5ov, until the Wolves fought back with some spectacular bowling. The next 5ov only cost 17 runs. Samantha ‘Diesel’ Davies, Mia Wityk, Samantha ‘Rockets’ McDevitt and Josie Paterson bowled brilliantly to bring the game back on to our terms. Hoppers were 1/52 at the halfway mark. The Spotty bowlers kept the pressure on and didn’t let the Cats run away with the game in the second half either. Rose took two wickets, Diesel bowled her first maiden for the club and Rockets took a fantastic catch behind the stumps, to finish the innings off at 105.

Special mentions to Josie, who soldiered on in the heat despite battling illness and Rockets McDevitt who didn’t stop encouraging her teammates for the entire innings. Her voice and energy were spectacular.

The Wolves had 106 to chase off 20ov and the sisters McDevitt started us off nicely. We didn’t lose a wicket until the 3rd over and all the batters ticked it along steadily. Mia and Brenda smashed boundaries to give our innings some impetus and we went to the half-time break at 1/49.

57 to win off 60 balls and we were quietly accumulating runs from one end. But from the other end it was the Rose Beckett show. In a game changing knock of 15 off 17, Rose clapped 3 boundaries and got us to within 14 runs of victory with 4 wickets in hand.

But there was a twist in the tale as Hoppers Crossing fought back with 3 wickets and a maiden in the 17th over.

13 to win off 18 balls. 4 wickets in hand. The skipper was at the crease with Mia Wityk. Some lovely batting and sharp running brought it down to 9 runs. Hoppers however, would not give up easily and a brilliant direct hit run out got rid of Mia.

9 off 13 with 3 wickets in hand and the tension was palpable. Could the Wolves get home and celebrate their first ever win?

Captain Amanda Beckett answered the call yet again with a boundary off the last ball to calm the nerves.

5 runs to win off 12 balls. Rockets and The Skipper took 4 off the 19th over.

1 run to win off 6 balls. Dot ball. The silence was deafening.

1 needed off 5 and the Wolves were huddled together in absolute silence. The nerves were jangling and the teeth were grinding. Some nervously reached for their phones to capture the moment as the Hoppers opening bowler charged in. Silence.

Samantha McDevitt. Cover drive. 4 runs. Victory. Pandemonium!

A group of ladies who had largely never picked up a bat in competition, who battled injury and illness in a somewhat cursed first half of the season had claimed their inaugural victory. The Coach is certain, the first of many. Magnificent.

There aren’t many things in sport that are more pure than the joy and elation that our Ladies showed after their hard-earned first win. Again, the Coach couldn’t be prouder of the resilience, spirit and progress of our Wolves.

Standout batters:
Rose Beckett - 15* off 17 balls (3 boundaries)
Mia Wityk - 14 off 22 balls (2 boundaries)
Samantha McDevitt - 11 off 25 balls (1 boundary)

Standout bowlers:
Rose Beckett - 4ov 2/12
Melissa Finlay - 2ov 1/12
Mia Wityk - 3ov 0/11
Samantha Davies - 2ov 0/3 (1 maiden)

The team wore black armbands to pay their respects to the passing of club member and friend Jo.

The Ladies will be back at Home on Feb 1 and we look forward to seeing you there. The Year of the Wolf has well and truly begun. 🔰🐺