Derbyshire Falcons (women) vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks (women) (match 33, L2) at Belper Cricket Club (Derbys) on Sunday 6 September 2026
Fresh from their County Cup quarter-final, Steelbacks women made a ’strong performance,’ after a late start, bowling-out Falcons with four overs docked from each innings; following overnight rain. Batting first, Blaze academy loanees – Frances Lonsdale [60 runs (from 93 balls); and Lara Shaw 54(63) – both scored ‘fifties,’ their partnership banking 64 runs for Falcons’ second wicket. Steelbacks bowlers Anisha Patel (50ov. skipper) and Gemma Marriott (20ov. skipper) both took 3-fers (each taking three wickets/ both conceding 23 runs.) In contrast, Steelbacks women batters made light work of their reply. Their opening partnership between in-form batter Amelia Kemp – pictured 46(38) and Chloe Hill 19(27) banked 70 runs. The result was placed beyond doubt when Gemma Marriott 50*not out(41) partnered May Drinkell 42*not out(35) added 88 runs needed to win, with May Drinkell scoring the winning ‘four.’ Steelbacks finished fourth and play Middlesex women in their semi-final. Weather: overcast, improved 16C.
Derbyshire Falcons women wearing light-and-dark-blue with blue helmets and blue numbers; *skipper Adrianna Darlow [Chloe Hill keeping wicket for Steelbacks]; *with Maria Andrews & Lara Shaw (The Blaze academy loans); *with Aamna Khan, Lauren Kenvyn & Malisha Tennakoon (Warwickshire academy); *Emily Hughes was caught-and-bowled at full reach, one-handed by Mabel Reid; *Score 45/1 after 10 overs power-play; *Lara Shaw was caught at ‘point’ by Beth Ascott, from seamer Gemma Marriott; *Lauren Kenvyn was bowled top-of-middle by Gemma Marriott; *Mid-way after 25 overs: score 103/3; *Matilda Atherton-Gater went plumb ‘leg-before’ to spinner Ella V Phillips; *Olivia Kibler was ‘run-out’ by Ria Fackrell’s throw from ‘mid-wicket’ to Ella V Phillips, receiving at the non-striker’s end; *Making a slow departure, Adrianna Darlow went plumb ‘leg-before’ to Ria Fackrell; *Mis-timing a ‘sweep,’ Frances Lonsdale went ‘leg-before’ to Anisha Patel; *Prisha Bedi steepled a catch aerial to ‘mid-on,’ collected by Mabel Reid running round, from Anisha Patel; *Mis-timing a ‘sweep,’ next ball, Beth Slater was clean-bowled by Anisha Patel, for a ‘golden duck;’ *Rhiannon Knowling-Davies, was caught at ‘backward point’ by Ella V Phillips, from Gemma Marriott;
Falcons women batting: Frances Lonsdale 60(93); Lara Shaw 54(63); Matilda Atherton-Gater 22(36); Steelbacks women bowling: Anisha Patel 3/23(8); Gemma Marriott 3/23(6.5); Ella V Phillips 1/22(8); Ria Fackrell 1/34(7); Mabel Reid; 1/21(5);
Steelbacks women wearing pale blue tops with black joggers and pads; *skipper (50ov) Anisha Patel; [Matilda Atherton-Gater keeping wicket for Falcons women] *with Michaela Kirk (The Blaze loan) & Emily Carpenter (academy); *with Ria Fackrell (Yorks loan); *Score 68/0 (vs 45/1) after 10 overs power-play; *Amelia Kemp was caught-and-bowled on-the-turn by Adrianna Darlow; *Chloe Hill was caught at ‘cover’ by Gemma Rose, from Prisha Bedi; *Beth Ascott went ‘leg-before’ in-line with ‘off,’ to Prisha Bedi; *By comparison after 25 overs: score 164/3 (vs103/3); Steelbacks women batting: Gemma Marriott 50*not out(41); Amelia Kemp 46(38); May Drinkell 42*not out(35); Chloe Hill 19(27); Falcons women bowling: Prisha Bedi 2/44(7); Adrianna Darlow 1/33(7);
Match result: Northamptonshire Steelbacks (women) 170/3 (@6.6 runs-per-over/target from 25.2/46ov.) beat Derbyshire Falcons (women) 169 ‘All out’ (@3.9 r-p-o from 42.5/46 overs) by seven wickets with 148 balls remaining
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play @url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#c651dae65-9bfe-4f8a-897d-180550441e01_m436e4f94-3202-4e9b-a374-2cc546492790
*Upcoming League two fixtures 50ov (2026) @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/04/25/metro-bank-one-day-cup-womens-tournament-for-50-overs-league-two-may-update-2026/
*Top ten 20ov ‘league one’ best batters and bowlers (2026) @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/07/28/womens-vitality-blast-league-one-top-ten-for-2026/
*Top ten 20ov ‘league two’ best batters and bowlers (2026) @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/07/30/womens-vitality-blast-league-two-top-ten-for-2026/
