KENT WON BY 21 RUNS: KENT WOMEN 135-5 (20 OVS); MIDDLESEX WOMEN 114-9 (20 OVS)
With storming T20 victories over Notts and Somerset under our belts, we were raring to go. Bowling first, we opened with Warren and Dattani. Warren’s second over sent Beaumont, stumped, from the crease. Greenway and Edwards soon picked up the pace, reaching 48-1 in the 8th over. Hartley and Westbury took over the bowling challenge. Dunkley’s spell followed and she soon made an impact on the run rate with Edwards caught by Pope for 43. Another wicket featuring the dynamic duo, sent Greenway back to the dug-out. Two wickets in the last over and then Kent finished their innings at a creditable 135-5.
Our openers took to the wicket; Wilson joined Miles fairly quickly when Dunkley left the crease. By the 6th over we were 34-2, with Nicholls and Miles dispatched, to be replaced by Skipper, Westbury and Coach, Morgan at each end. A great partnership from the two brought us up to 77-5. Morgan was evicted from the crease after a hard fought 16. Westbury was bowled having achieved an innings-saving 30. With just 9 balls remaining and 30 runs to chase we fell short of the Kent total.
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SUSSEX WON BY 3 WICKETS: MIDDLESEX WOMEN 118-8 (20 OVS); SUSSEX WOMEN 119-7 (18 OVS)
Despite defeat by the mighty Kent, the Meatballs were ready to hit the ground running, choosing to bat first against Sussex. Quick wickets early on, left the pressure firmly on the shoulders of Morgan and Wilson. Some cracking shots from Wilson, including an almighty six, put us firmly back in the running. Unfortunately Morgan fell foul of a run-out. Wilson finished the innings on a brilliant 64* with the Middlesex innings totalling 118.
Warren and Dattani went in to the fray, opening our bowling attack. Warren’s first victim, Georgia Adams was caught by Morgan at Mid off. Soon after this, Warren dispatched Elwiss, LBW. Strike three for Warren with another LBW, left Sussex on 11-3. Taylor’s appearance at the crease certainly put us under pressure. Aussie Osbourne was caught behind from Hartley’s bowling, alleviating the duress. Taylor was soon walking, stumped from the Captain’s bowling and Sussex were 77-5 after 14 overs. Dunkley’s change of ends reduced a little tension as Walker was stumped from her first ball. Colvin was soon striding onto the crease. Despite the acquisition of some key wickets and the valiant efforts from all in the field, it wasn’t enough as Colvin cleaned up with a sweep for four, scoring the winning runs.
