Hampshire Hawks vs Somerset (women) (match 36) double-header at the Utilita Bowl on Sunday 6 July 2025
Hampshire Hawks women were set a ‘testing target’ before a record domestic women’s cricket crowd (>4,700 people) for watching domestic T20 at the ‘Utilita Bowl.’ Somerset women came close to bagging their first Vitality Blast win, with Fran Wilson making top-score with ‘fifty’ [55 runs (from 22 balls).] Hawks fast-medium bowler Freya Davies scored a 3-fer [taking three wickets/conceding 38 runs.) Occasional ‘poor fielding’ by Somerset afforded Hawks equal terms, with comparable scores throughout the match until the ‘thrilling finish.’ Star performances by batter Rhianna Southby [57runs(from 51 balls)] partnered by Freya Kemp [42*not out(from 29)] saw Hawks across-the-line. Post-match, commentator Kevan ‘Kev’ James (BBC Sport, Solent Radio) interviewed Ellyse Perry (Australian international playing for Hawks during July); who described the crucial moment when Freya Kemp scored ’six’ as ‘striking a queen ball.’ Ellyse Perry added that during August she was booked to play for ‘Birmingham Phoenix’ in the Women’s The Hundred– please see post-match interview below. Co-commentator was Anthony Gibson (Somerset Radio.) Weather: passing showers (one heavy, triggering use of inflatable covers) gave way to bright sunshine, without any loss of playing-time.
Somerset women wearing pink over black with plum helmets *skipper Sophie Luff [Rhianna Southby keeping wicket for Hawks]; *international player Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia ‘A’);*with Erin Vukusic (Croatian international), *without Charlie Dean, Heather Knight (England call-ups) or Dani Gibson (injured);*Bex Odgers was caught at ‘mid-off’ by Georgia Adams, from Freya Davies; *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 51/1; *Niamh Holland was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ with bails sent flying, by Bex Tyson; *Sophie Luff went aerial, was caught at ‘long-on’ by Ellyse Perry, from Bex Tyson; *72/1 by ‘mid-way’ (after 10 overs); *Jess Hazell went plumb ‘leg-before’ to Georgia Adams; *Fran Wilson was ‘run-out’ by Georgia Adams’ direct hit from ‘cover,’ at the striker’s end; *Alex Griffiths was caught at ‘backward-point’ by Mary Taylor from Freya Davies; *Next ball ’Amanda-Jade Wellington went aerial, caught at ‘backward square’ by Freya Kemp, from Freya Davies;; *Mollie Robbins was ‘run-out’ by Freya Kemp’s throw from ‘backward square’ to keeper Rhianna Southby;Somerset women batting: Fran Wilson55(32), Amanda-Jade Wellington29(31), Bex Odgers18(13), Niamh Holland15(14), Alex Griffiths13(12); Hawks women bowling: Freya Davies 3/38, Bex Tyson 2/19, Georgia Adams 1/26;
Hawks women wearing full-backed and half-fronted striped yellow tops and yellow batting pads over navy blue; *skipper Georgia Adams *[Jess Hazell keeping wicket for Somerset]; *with international player Ellyse Perry (Australia), *without Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier & Linsey Smith (England call-up),*without Ella McCaughan or Ava Lee; *Level-pegging after 6 overs ‘power-play’ 51/0 (vs 51/1); *Mis-timing a backward scoop, Ellyse Perry went ‘leg-before’ to Erin Vukusic; *75/3 (vs 72/1) by ‘mid-way’ (after 10 overs); *Mis-timing a ‘sweep,’ Rhianna Southby was bowled ‘middle-and-leg’ by Amanda-Jade Wellington; Hawks women batting: Rhianna Southby57(51), Freya Kemp42*not out(29), Ellyse Perry40(33); Somerset women bowling: Amanda-Jade Wellington 1/23, Erin Vukusic 1/32;
Match result: Hampshire Hawks (women) 154/2 (@7.8 runs-per-over, from 19.4/20 ov./target 154 from 20/20 overs) beat Somerset (women) 153/8 (7.6 r-p-o from 20/20overs) by eight wickets with two balls remaining
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m3cc64766-c5c4-4e3f-80f4-04ca2cf1acdd
*BBC Sport @url:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-225325 & SKY Sports@url: https://www.skysports.com/cricket/hampshire-hawks-women-v-somerset-women/scorecard/19f21230-de1f-5b3e-921a-e5edf6a2fd33
*Full match free-to-air, courtesy of Hampshire Cricket/Matrix IT (nv play) via YouTube [03h30m35s] @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GMilFrpg24
*“It Was Wonderful To Be A Part Of” Ellyse Perry Delighted With Victory In Front of Record Crowd courtesy of Hampshire Cricket/BBC Sport (Kevan James) [4m48s] @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4YN98r9zuE
*Upcoming League one fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/06/22/vitality-blast-league-one-fixtures-and-results-to-june-2025/
*Upcoming League two fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/07/02/vitality-cup-league-two-fixtures-for-season-2025-2/
Footnote: actual match photo
