Northamptonshire Steelbacks women vs Yorkshire (White rose) women – (match 38, league two) at Northampton County Ground on BH Monday 25 August 2025 (10h30)
A ‘sensational’ run-chase by Steelbacks women over the White roses had Steelbacks ‘looking forward’ to a semi-final tie at home. Key to Steelbacks successful run-chase was top-scorer Beth Ascott – pictured[86*not out (from 91 balls)] who carried her bat; when partnered by Michaela Kirk 77(from 77 balls) followed by Gemma Marriott 50(54). Earlier, returning Steelbacks bowler Bethan Robinson took two crucial top-order batters wickets for ‘ducks.’ Post-match, Head Coach David Ripley spoke of Steelbacks’ ‘stand-out’ innings by Beth Ascott and Michaela Kirk (as mentioned above): whom he said chalked-up Steelbacks’ second ever century partnership (at 50overs, to date.) please see below. Separately, commentators have found it difficult to explain the unfairness to other tier-two teams when Yorks women are promoted to ‘league one’ competitions next year without needing to qualify for the semi-finals; whereas this year’s ‘league-two’ silverware winners may find they’re not promoted, but destined to stay in next year’s ‘league two’ competition. Weather: cloudless with light breeze, 20C.
Yorkshire (White roses) women wearing sheer diamond-patterned deep blue with blue pads, *skipper Maddie Ward *[Chloe Hill keeping wicket for Steelbacks women]; *Yorkshire academy players Ines Blackwell & Amelia Oliver, *without international player Sterre Kalis or Scotland international Rachel Slater; *also without Lauren Winfield-Hill; *Amelia Oliver was bowled by Bethan Robinson with her ‘off-stump’ cartwheeled, for a fourth-ball ‘duck’; *Two balls later, Rebecca ‘Becca;’ Duckworth was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ with bails sent flying by Bethan Robinson for a second-ball ‘duck’; *Mis-timing a ramp, *Maddie Ward was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ with bails sent flying by Bethan Robinson; *Erin Thomas went aerial, caught at ‘deep mid-on’ by Gemma Marriott, from Bethan Robinson; *After ten overs power-play: 60/4; *Ami Campbell was caught aerial ‘in-the-covers’ by Bethan Robinson, from Martha Reid; *By mid-way(25 ov.) 131/5; *Olivia Thomas went plumb ‘leg-before’ to Ella Phillips’ spin; *Beth Langston was caught at ‘deep-mid-wicket’ by Gemma Marriott, from Amelia Kemp; *Ria Fackrell was stumped by keeper Chloe Hill coming down-wicket to Anisha Patel; *Three balls later, Ines Blackwell was caught from ‘in-the-covers’ by Alicia Presland, from Martha Reid;Yorkshire women batting: Olivia Thomas57(92), Ami Campbell32(30), Beth Langston30(47), Claudie Cooper24*not out (19), Erin Thomas25(22), Jess Woolston18*not out(17), Maddie Ward 17(20), Ines Blackwell 17(35); Steelbacks women bowling: Bethan Robinson 4/46, Martha Reid 2/64, Ella Phillips 1/13, Anisha Patel 1/44, Amelia Kemp 1/59;
Steelbacks women wearing purple with light-blue splash over dark blue with dark helmets; skipper Anisha Patel (50ov.) *[Maddie Ward keeping wicket for Yorks] *with Bethan Robinson, *with Chloe Hill (formerly of Rapids), *also with Michaela Kirk *(Blaze loan); *Bella Howarth wafered an edge, caught behind by keeper Maddie Ward, from Jess Woolston; *Amelia Kemp was caught at ’slip’ by Ami Campbell, from Olivia Thomas; *After ten overs power-play: 36/2 (vs 60/4); *Level-pegging by mid-way(25 ov.) 136/2 (vs 131/5); *Michaela Kirk was bowled ‘middle-and-leg’ by Ines Blackwell’s in-swing; *Gemma Marriott was caught at ‘point’ by Claudie Cooper, from Jess Woolston; *Finally, after Chloe Hill drew scores level with ‘four,’ one ‘extra’ (leg-bye) decided the match; Steelbacks women batting: Beth Ascott86*not out(91), Michaela Kirk 77(77), Gemma Marriott50(54) Amelia Kemp15(24); Yorkshire women bowling: Jess Woolston 2/34, Olivia Thomas 1/20, Ines Blackwell 1/31;
Match result: Northamptonshire Steelbacks women 260/4 (@5.5 runs-per-over from 46.3/50overs, target 260 from 50/50 ov) beat Yorkshire women 259/9 (@6.2 r-p-o from 41.3/50overs) by six wickets with 21 balls remaining
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m0bca0cf8-2633-476d-9dcf-1250e89de4f1
*BBC Sport @url: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-225613 & SKY Sports@url: https://www.skysports.com/cricket/northamptonshire-steelbacks-women-v-yorkshire-women/scorecard/f46fce44-d916-5855-bdc3-72521917d959
*David Ripley Delighted With Victory Over Yorkshire Women courtesy of Steelbacks TV (nv play) via YouTube [03m22s] @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3xw6QJsE4A
*Upcoming League one fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/05/22/metro-bank-league-one-fixtures-and-results-up-to-may-2025/
*Upcoming League two fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/05/25/metro-bank-league-two-fixtures-and-results-up-to-may-2025/
