The breakthrough start to 2026 for Worcestershire Women’s Rapids and England U19 star Sophie Beech showed no signs of relenting on Sunday, with the teenage ace lighting up Flagge Meadow by scoring a sumptuous 110 against Leicestershire Foxes Women.
Coming into the side for the first time this season having travelled to Australia to represent England U19 in a triangular series against the host nation and Sri-Lanka, Beech hit the ground running for the Rapids on Sunday.
Coming to the middle with her side 20-2, Beech reeled off just the second ever Women’s Rapids ton at Tier 2 level, ending on 110 from 113 balls having scored 14 boundaries.
A crucial part of her time at the crease saw Beech establish a 162-run partnership with youngster Meg Bishop, which the batter said was a thoroughly enjoyable period in the match.
“What a great game to be involved in. Since Bryony and I have been away it has been so nice coming back in with the girls, and it is even nicer to get that win!
“Me and Bish decided that we were going to play in five over blocks, and we said if hadn’t lost anymore wickets by the time we got to 40-overs in, we were going to kick-on and push.
“We were able to set a platform, and although we have played against one another, we have never played together or batted together, so it was nice to be able to do that with her.
“Then, when the moment came, it was pretty special to be able to enjoy that one!”
Following in the footsteps of Captain Clare Boycott as the only ever Women to score a century for the Rapids since their introduction to Tier 2, Beech has started 2026 in style.
Now, back for the duration of the summer, Ed Wilson will be counting on both Beech and fellow England star Bryony Gillgrass to drive the Rapids forward in both white ball competitions this year.
The keeper-batter said that the wicket of centurion Francesca Sweet, followed up by some disciplined death bowling was the combination that sealed victory for her side.
“They had that big partnership in the middle, and we knew that when we got Cheska (Francesca Sweet) we had a big one.
“We never felt like we were going to lose though, in that sense it was very calm, especially after we got rid of Francesca.
“Bryony helped us out with two wickets and then Daisy bowled superbly at the end to keep us in control.
“That win was important because we have shown ourselves and the other sides that we can win from attacking positions, and going two from two feels really big this early in the season.”
