Western Outlaws women miss out on Plan B Regional Bash finals

The Outlaws missed out on the chance to play at Sydney Cricket Ground finals day after failing to win one of their pool matches, but Cady's performance with the bat was one of a number of positives.

The Outlaws opener was one of just five players in the competition to belt a six as she scored 66 runs in two games at a strike rate of 77.1.

"Bec batted really well. She played exceptionally well in the first game, but she probably didn't get value for shots that she wanted," Outlaws skipper Kira Churchland said.

"But she batted amazingly and was really good behind the stumps as well."

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A change to the women's Twenty20 competition this season meant the Western Outlaws - formerly known as the Orana Outlaws - were scheduled to play three pool games instead of a sudden-death format.

Their game on Friday against the Illawarra Flames in Queanbeyan was washed out, but on Saturday play in the same city was able to go ahead against the ACT Aces and Riverina Bullets.

Against the Aces, the Outlaws were sent in to bat first and managed just 6-92 off their 20 overs. Cady's 36 and Roxsanne Van Veen's quick-fire unbeaten 19 off 16 the highlights.

In reply the Aces lost just one wicket - Churchland and Sally Moylan producing a run-out - and completed the chase in the 16^th over.

Later that afternoon against Riverina, the Outlaws again batted first and again struggled to compile a big total. This time Cady's 28 was the top score as they ended at 5-77.

In the field the Outlaws took the game into the final over, but Riverina hit the winning runs with four balls and eight wickets to spare.

"A few more runs would've been handy," Churchland conceded.

"I think our bowling improved dramatically into that second game, we kept it really tight. Again a few things didn't go our way and if they did, it could've changed the game completely.

"ACT, I know they all train together pretty much every week, multiple times a week and in an academy program, so they all play a bit together.

"There were some good, young players in the Riverina team and they've got Jodie Hicks, who is an ex-Sixers player."

While it was disappointing to bow out after being part of the Outlaws team which played in the semi-finals last season, Churchland said just being part of the Regional Bash was a real positive for the game in this area.

"It's super important to have this," she said.

"When I was growing up we used to have country champs every year and we had a weekend when we'd go and play these teams, but then that disappeared for open age players.

"So to have something for open age players who don't always get the opportunity to play rep cricket, it's awesome."

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