Superb week for Southern Scorpions but sole loss prevents them making grand final appearance at country week

The Southern Scorpions have shone on the women’s country week stage, narrowing missing out on a grand final berth after losing only one match in their 2025 campaign. The team containing a host of Great Southern talent, won three of their four T20 games played after their opener on Saturday morning was washed out. When the Scorpions did hit the pitch they had a two-wicket victory against Peel Blue with Shyanne Thomas-Mirrielees taking two wickets before Patricia Hoveler anchored the chase with an unbeaten 37. The Scorpions notched up another win against Bunbury Blue in game three, as they won by 17 runs after restricting their rivals to 3-111 and then went on to make 5-128 in reply. Bunbury Red stepped in to slow the Scorpions’ momentum in game four, however, despite a solid 39 runs and two wickets from Megan Bam. This loss knocked the Scorpions out of grand final contention, setting them up to play their final game against Geraldton Blue. They claimed a four-wicket victory to finish the weekend, with two wickets each from York and Great Southern star Holly Pearce. Bam made 35 and Ruby York chipped in with 24 as they passed the target of 133 in the final over. The Scorpions finished third at the tournament and vice-captain York said the girls were looking forward to coming back next year. “This weekend is the only time we get to play together as a team,” she said. “It takes a while for us to get up to speed with each other, but by the final game we’re all in our zone, and that final was a must-win game for us so the stakes were high but we all still really enjoyed ourselves, which was a great atmosphere to be in.” Captain Drew Epis said seeing her team improve over the past couple of years has been inspiring to see. “Next year we’re hoping to bring two teams into the competition, one for A-section and one for B-section which will be a big step forward, and we’ll keep trying to grow women’s sport in the regions,” she said. “I hope we can go one step better next year and make the grand final and finally be in the running to take home the big one that we have all wanted.”