Penrith Cricket Club 2022-23 Women's First Grade Premiers

Penrith Cricket Club | May 19, 2025

After a heart-breaking loss in the 2021-22 Grand Final, Penrith’s Lady Cats were determined to get the job done in 2022-23. Strong performances throughout the regular season saw them finish in second position on the ladder and, after knocking off Parramatta in the semi-final, they went into the Grand Final against Northern District as favourites.

For the first time, the Grand Final was held at Cricket Central, Cricket NSW’s new purpose-built facility. It was a scorching day, with temperatures in the mid-high 30s by lunchtime. Northern District won the toss and elected to bat, but sustained pressure from Penrith’s bowlers and a stellar effort in the field saw NDs restricted to 160 off their 50 overs, a subpar score on a fast-running field.

The stand-out performance with the ball came from Katie Wolfe, Penrith’s UK import, who took 3/15 off 10 overs, with 4 maidens and an economy rate of 1.50. Captain Sam Arnold and Callee Black also took a couple of wickets each, and catches were shared around, with Phoebe Litchfield, Ananaya Sharma and Beth Lane each snaring a couple.

The Lady Cats were quietly confident going into bat, and the writing was quickly on the wall when Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield whacked 14 off the first over. Litchfield then combined with fellow opener Elise Noble for a 155-run stand before holing out on 99 off 75 balls, leaving Penrith just inches from victory. Noble later said that Litchfield’s innings was the best she’s ever seen firsthand, noting that ‘I had the best seat in the house, watching from the other end!’

Phoebe Litchfield

Litchfield’s dismissal brought experienced campaigner and captain Sam Arnold to the crease, meaning she was on the field to see Elise Noble (40) hit the winning runs in only the 25th over.

This dominant victory saw the Lady Cats lift the Ruth Preddy Cup and bring the Sydney Women’s Cricket First Grade Premiership to Penrith for the very first time, with Phoebe Litchfield named Player of the Match.

Captain Sam Arnold later said that the victory made history for Penrith Women’s Squad and reflected not only the efforts and the achievements of the team but of the whole squad, from the coaches through to the junior players and administrators.

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