Worcestershire Rapids women v Northamptonshire Steelbacks women (match 9, league two women’s ‘double-header’) at Visit Worcestershire New Road on Sunday 8 June 2025
Playing the second half of the first women’s back-to-back double-header, Rapids did well to pick themselves up from their first match defeat to ‘go again’ and this time were proud to produce a thrilling finish; albeit a narrow defeat. Michaela Kirk (Blaze loan) partnered by Amelia Kemp added 39-runs for Steelbacks women, with three other batters reaching double-figures. Rapids women’s spinner Flora Bertwistle seemed unaffected by fatigue, bagging three more wickets to the wicket she took earlier that day. Separately during her pre-match interview, Rapids batter Bryony Gillgrass explained that Rapids (knew they) had to carry-on between double-headers, even if the first match had ’not gone so well’ – please see below. Rapids women were narrowly ahead after six overs’ power-play [44/1 (vs 38/2)] as Clare Boycott went on to play a skipper’s innings [48 runs(from 45balls)] adding fifty-one runs when partnered by Ruby Davis 25(31.) The match reached a pivotal moment with five overs remaining beyond which point Rapids women were peppered with twenty ‘dot’ balls, lost five tail-enders wickets and could only score from ten balls (from those last five overs.) Steelbacks women stay undefeated, second only to Yorkshire in the Northern Group who are ahead on bonus points (at time of writing.) Commentators: Claire B Jenkins (women’s cricket commentator, senior lecturer, former player for Derbyshire women), with social media co-host Jim Dale (BBC Sport online.) Weather was cloudy 14C.
Steelbacks women wearing purple with light-blue splash over dark blue with dark helmets; *skipper Gemma Marriott (20ov); (Liv Gough keeping wicket for Rapids) Michaela Kirk (Blaze loan) Mabel Reid (Essex loan); *Gemma Marriott was caught at ‘cover’ by Bryony Gillgrass from Phoebe Brett; *Falling over, Mabel Reid was stumped by keeper Liv Gough, from Phoebe Brett; *After 6 overs power-play, 38/2; *Amelia Kemp was stumped by Liv Gough from left-armed Flora Bertwistle coming round-the-wicket; *By mid-way (10 overs) 73/3); *Mis-timing a ‘swipe,’ Michaela Kirk was bowled by Flora Bertwistle coming round-the-wicket; *Katherine Speed was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ by Flora Bertwistle coming round-the-wicket;; *Mis-timing a ‘swipe,’ Alicia Presland was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ by Bryony Gillgrass; *Ella Phillips was run out by Clare Boycott’s direct hit to the non-striker’s end, from Bryony Gillgrass; *Slow-on-the turn, Poppy Smart was ‘run out’ from ‘mid-wicket’ by Jess Beach’s throw to keeper Liv Gough at the striker’s end; Steelbacks women batting: Michaela Kirk27(25), Alicia Presland24(18), Amelia Kemp20(14), Gemma Marriott18(13), Katherine Speed15(24), Mabel Reid10(13); Rapids women bowling: Flora Bertwistle 3/11, Phobe Brett 2/32, Anisha Patel 1/7, Bethan Robinson 1/15, Bryony Gillgrass 1/21 ;
Rapids women wearing light blue front/mid-hooped back uppers, over lower black; *skipper Clare Boycott (Poppy Smart keeping wicket for Steelbacks) Amy Wheeler (Blaze Academy 2024); *Gwen Davies steepled to ‘point,’ caught by Ella Phillips, from Bethan Robinson; *After 6 overs power-play, 44/1 (vs 38/2); *Bryony Gillgrass was bowled ‘through-the-gate’ by spinner Anisha Patel; *By mid-way (10 overs) 64/2 (vs 73/3); *Clare Boycott was caught at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by Mabel Reid, from Lenny Sims; *Mis-timing across-the-line, Ruby Davis was bowled ‘middle-and-off’ by seamer Amelia Kemp; *Sophie Beech steepled to ‘mid-wicket,’ caught by Michaela Kirk from Amelia Kemp; *Two balls later Poppy Davies was caught ‘in-the-covers’ by Alicia Presland, for a second-ball ‘duck’ from Amelia Kemp; *Amy Wheeler was caught behind by keeper Poppy Smart, from seamer Gemma Marriott; Rapids women batting: Clare Boycott48(45), Ruby Davis25(31),Bryony Gillgrass22(15), Gwen Davies11(8); Steelbacks women bowling: Amelia Kemp 3/29, Gemma Marriott 1/2, Lenny Sims 1/28;
Match result: Northamptonshire Steelbacks (women) 134/8 (@6.7 runs-per-over from 20/20); beat Worcestershire Rapids (women) 119/7 (@5.9 r-p-o, from 20/20 overs, target 135); by 15 runs
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#mdb4533d7-be1c-42ca-bc69-9cc5d85653fc
*BBC Sport @url: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-225356 & SKY @url: https://www.skysports.com/cricket/worcestershire-rapids-women-v-northamptonshire-steelbacks-women/scorecard/45645dd1-61de-5def-b956-aed2bd94d35d
*Full match free-to-air, with Bryony Gillgrass interview, courtesy of Worcestershire CCC (vertu) [03h18m55] via YouTube @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuJDVb35OnA
*Upcoming League one fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/11/27/vitality-blast-fixtures-for-season-2025/
*Upcoming League two fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/11/27/vitality-cup-league-two-fixtures-for-season-2025/
