New South Wales, Victoria advance to Women's U19 final again

New South Wales will face Victoria in the final of the Australian Women's Under-19 Championships at Flinders University Oval No.1 in Adelaide on Wednesday. The two teams, who will be meeting in the final for the second consecutive year, were triumphant in their respective semi-finals today.

New South Wales, holders of the Betty Wilson Shield for what is now the Under-19 championship for the past eleven years, had little trouble disposing of South Australia today. After the home state was dismissed for 107, New South Wales openers Leah Poulton (55*) and Alex Blackwell (44*) remained unbeaten to give their side a ten-wicket victory.

Victoria found a win in their semi-final a little more difficult. Queensland, batting first, were dismissed for 112. The Vics lost eight wickets before notching the win. Queensland got off to a rousing start in this year's championships by upsetting New South Wales, and they now bow out of contention after successive losses to the ACT and Victoria.

In the semi-finals for minor placings, Western Australia defeated the WCA Invitational XI by eight wickets, while K.Britt (112) scored her second successive hundred for the ACT in their 168-run victory over Tasmania.

Today's scores:

South Australia 107 (J Woerner 37, J Oldfield 23; S Andrews 3/11) lost to New South Wales 0/108 (L Poulton 55*, A Blackwell 44*) by ten wickets.

Queensland 112 (K Marxsen 29, J Purves 26; A Chantry 4/23) lost to Victoria 8/113 (S Edwards 33, I Noack 20; B Matheson 3/19) by two wickets.

WCA Invitational XI 97 (A Taylor 31*; R Bench 3/19) lost to Western Australia 2/98 (P Merrilees 66*, L Stammers 19*) by eight wickets.

Australian Capital Territory 5/246 (K Britt 112, A Willard 40, C Chippendale 32; V Pyke 3/19) defeated Tasmania 78 (S Whyte 23; A Jones 3/24, K Britt 3/1) by 168 runs.