Nicole Bolton has urged her teammates to savour the moment after leading WA to a history-making WNCL title at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.
Bolton was crowned player of the match after top scoring with 67 runs and then taking 3-34 as the visitors claimed the 42-run win over the NSW Breakers.
The star all-rounder was lost for words in the aftermath. It was WA’s first women’s domestic title since 1986-87.
“I’m just really proud of this group,” Bolton said. “We worked really hard this season and I think we set the tone in our first round with how we wanted to play and I don’t think I would have been able to do what I did without Chloe (Piparo) up the top and Ash Day taking on the opening stand as well.
“I think everyone has played their role and I’m just ecstatic that we were able to get the job done today.
“It’s been a really long time coming. We have got history together and I think that’s really special. I think we can look back on this and winning our first WNCL title, it’s been hard work but I think we’ve played some really good cricket.
“Savour this moment because they don’t come around too often. I’ve been playing cricket for WA since I was 15 and it’s been 16 years to get my first title.
“I think if you ask most of the girls: ‘What tournament do you want to win?’ We want to win WNCL. This group of players, we’re WA players, we’ve played a lot of our junior ranks together and we’re a really tight-knit group.
“We’re going to take a lot of confidence from this.”
Bolton paid special tribute to captain Chloe Piparo, who was brilliant throughout the season at the top of the order and led brilliantly.
“I worked quite closely with Chloe this season and I think as a leader she’s been outstanding,” Bolton said. “She’s led from the front with the runs on the board and as good a tactician as I’ve met.”
Piparo praised Bolton, who also claimed player of the tournament with 436 runs and 16 wickets.
“I think Bolts has been really clutch for us this year,” Piparo said. “She obviously started opening the batting and then kind of did team thing and moved to the middle order for us and really strengthened our batting line-up so to do that and then to bowl consistently 10 overs each match and take wickets for us has been super important.”
“It’s obviously really special for us and really special to this group of players who are really proud to play for WA and really put their heart and souls on the line and worked really hard this year so we’ll savour this one.”
Star spinner Emma King also finished a brilliant season on a high, taking 3-28 in a match-turning performance.