South Wagga Warriors into sixth straight grand final

Looking for a sixth straight title, a massive fourth innings proved to be the difference at French Fields.

The Warriors broke free of what had been a tight start to the game, scoring six runs to set up their advantage, and extend their strong run of form this season.

Batting first, Turvey made a good start when Leila Wadley executed a smart bunt and made it to first base.

She then stole to second and then was batted in by a right field hit from Amanda Gooden.

Gooden herself then scored when Warriors shortstop misfielded giving a first innings of two runs.

In the responding innings, the Warriors’ Layhnee Kearnes hit safely and then scored before the innings closed.

Both teams were shut out in their second innings leaving the score at 2-1.

In the top of the third, Turvey failed to add to their score, despite a safe hit to Belinda Dennis.

Layhnee Kearnes hit her second outfield hit, this time a home run, and as the sole scorer for the Warriors tied the game up, at 2-all.

Approaching the half-way mark, it was still any team’s game.

In response to another shutout of Turvey Park in the top of the fourth, the Warriors broke the game right open, scoring a six runs.

Sam O’Neill started the splurge with a left-field safe hit and was soon followed by hits to Kim Dennis, Simone Jorgensen, a walk to Layhnee Kearnes and, to cap it off a home run from Montana Kearnes.

Both teams were shutout in their fifth innings, but after yet another shutout of Turvey in their sixth, the Warriors scored the one run necessary to have the mercy rule applied.

“Just one innings was the downfall," Turvey Park coach 'Jock' Currie lamented.

"But they certainly batted better than us and deserved their victory.”

Turvey Park will now have to work hard during the week before they come up against a confident Saints’ team in the hopes of keeping their season alive and making it through to the grand final.

Saints scored a 9-1 win the teams last met with the mercy rule applied after the fifth innings.

They also held the Warriors to a 5-all draw last month.

The Warriors will meet the winner of the Saints v Turvey Park game in the grand final on March 16.