Felt like old Renegades days, says Sophie Molineux after win over Thunder

“It was a pretty special moment walking up the stairs and seeing Lea Tahuhu and Maitlan Brown with the biggest smiles on their faces,” said the left-arm spinner after their two-run win over Thunder.

“We’ve taken a lot to just see them and how happy they are for the group. It’s been a special five minutes in the changing room and hopefully we can take the momentum and the winning feeling into the next few weeks.”

Rosemary Mair, the New Zealand seamer, was the star with the ball for Renegades. She bowled three overs in the power play, getting rid of Tammy Beaumont and Sammy-Jo Johnson and managing to keep an in-form Heather Knight and young Phoebe Litchfield quiet to give away just seven runs and pick up two wickets in that phase.

“Rosemary was amazing in her four overs and snared a couple of wickets which set up momentum our way,” said Molineux.

“When we walked out there we hoped we defend it. After Rosemary started well Wofly (Georgia Wareham) and Molly (Strano) were amazing in the middle and were able to hold two very class batters in Heather and (Rachel) Trenamen in the middle there and I think the girls started to jump on that.”

For Molineux, the win also brought back old memories.

“It’s been a pretty tricky start of the season. In the first couple of weeks we saw the wrong end of it all and to bounce back today... tight (finish) there at the end but very special win for the Renegades.”

ALSO READ: Nicole Bolton hopeful that Perth Scorchers can get their WBBL06 campaign back on track

“We sort of knew we were a few under par,” she added. “But I think that spurred us on there. I was really proud of the girls and felt like the old Renegades days when we fought and scrapped our way.”

Johnson’s four wickets for just 26 helped her bag the player of the match award, though Thunder fell short of their 111-run target. Understandably, it was a bittersweet feeling for her.

“It would have been nice to get over the line, but felt nice to contribute,” said Johnson, who was part of Brisbane Heat’s title-winning side last year.

“The conditions were a little bit slower and lower (in the second innings), obviously slow outfield as well. We were chasing a total rather than just going out there and batting.”

Johnson also talked about parking this game to the side and focusing on their match against Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday (Nov 8), before heaping praise on young Lauren Smith, who finished unbeaten on 18 off just 7 balls, including taking 16 of the final over off Mair.

“Loz has had a great pre-season and we have had plenty of scenarios like that. It was really good to see her execute under pressure. Close but not close enough,” she concluded.