Worcestershire Women’s Rapids notched their first Metro Bank One Day Cup win of the season in impressive style as Sophie Beech’s superb 110 guided her side to an impressive 13-run win over Leicestershire Foxes.
Having found themselves in a perilous position at 41-3, a 150-run partnership between Sophie Beech and Meg Bishop proved imperative in the match’s outcome, as the Rapids set the visitors 259 to win.
Jess Beach struck twice in quick succession, setting the Rapids on their way in the early exchanges, however the Foxes dug in, led by century-maker Francesca Sweet, to regain momentum and trouble the home side.
With light fading, Daisy Egerton claimed the key wicket of Sweet before Bryony Gillgrass and Meg Bishop helped to dismantle Leicestershire’s tailenders sealing an impressive 13-run victory for Ed Wilson’s side.
Looking to claim their first victory of this summer’s Metro Bank One Day Cup, the Rapids were dealt a blow before the toss, as captain and opening batter Clare Boycott was forced to withdraw from the squad through injury.
Daisy Egerton replaced Boycott with Gwen Davies standing in as skipper, whose first act was to win the toss before heading to the middle, alongside Ebony-Jade Tweats, having elected to bat first.
Flagge Meadow’s green-tinged wicket brought early joy for the Foxes bowlers, as Ellie Phillips struck twice in the opening six overs.
Having notched seven runs off the opening over, Davies got caught in two minds at the start of the second, as she chipped to mid-on.
Bryony Gillgrass came in at number three for her first Rapids appearance of the season, having returned from England U19 duty. Her stay at the crease was short-lived, however, as she too found a fielder, this time at deep square leg whilst pulling a shorter delivery in the sixth over.
Ebony-Jade Tweats, who was opening the batting in the absence of the injured Boycott, batted with patience and set about steadying the ship with Sophie Beech now for company, as the Rapids moved out of the opening powerplay at 36-2.
Tweats’ defiance came undone, however, snagging the edge of a nasty Caitlin Chissell delivery to reluctantly depart for nine.
Appearing too for the first time this season in Rapids colours, Beech heeded the responsibility of stabilising the home side’s innings, working well with Meg Bishop to build a 50 partnership.
Beech, who, like Gillgrass, had been away with England U19s, batted in an assertive fashion to bring about an important half-century, including six fours and a six from 61 balls.
The fourth wicket stand of Beech and Bishop found a brilliant balance, and the latter marked her maiden half-century for the Rapids, as well as the 150 partnership between the pair by dispatching a six over mid-wicket.
By the 39th over the pair’s work had helped to push Worcestershire past the 200 run mark, as Beech continued to work her way through double digits, going at just under a run a ball.
Bishop’s superb cameo eventually came to an end for a hard-earned 59 (80), meaning last week’s lead run-scorer, Sanya Khurana, joined the wicket-keeper batter at the crease.
Now in the 42nd over, Beech was offered a looping full-toss, which she duly plunged to the boundary to bring up an innings-defining century and what is only the second Rapids century in Women’s Tier Two cricket.
With momentum behind the Rapids at 237-4, two wickets in three balls removing both Beech (110) and Khurana (18) illustrated the visitors’ sustained intent with five overs of the host’s innings remaining.
The Rapids lost a further three wickets late on, as the Foxes claimed the scalps of Worcestershire’s Lucy Harris (1), Emily Churms (9) and Jess Beach (1), bringing an end to the innings, where Ed Wilson’s side finished on a competitive 258-9.
With the ball in hand, the hosts could not have wished for a better start in their attack.
Jess Beach claimed two Leicestershire scalps within the first three overs, plunging the Foxes into early disarray at 10-2.
However, with Lucy Western and Francesca Sweet now in the middle, the away side dug in to regain some control at 117-2.
Despite Phoebe Brett beating Western’s defences and removing her for 46, Sweet continued to patiently plug away.
Bishop wrestled some momentum back for the Rapids by notching two wickets in two balls in the 32nd over, dismissing Ellen Watson (18) and Chissell (0), but the match remained finely poised at 159-5.
The score soon became 226-5 as Worcestershire still had no answer for Sweet’s quality as she passed her century.
At a pivotal point in proceedings, Daisy Egerton joined the attack in the 44th over and claimed the key wicket of Sweet (101) courtesy of a terrific Davies catch.
Sharp work in the field then saw Gillgrass run Phillips out (35) before clean bowling Nayma Sheikh (1) the very next over, as the Rapids had their tails up.
Having reigned their opponents back to 232-8, Gillgrass’s over-the-wicket approach paid further dividends just two deliveries later as she caught and bowled Holly Whitfield (0).
The writing now appeared to be on the wall for the Foxes, who were down to their final pair of batters, requiring 27 runs from three overs.
Seven runs off the 47th over provided a glimmer of hope, however the Rapids finally emerged victorious as Bishop clipped Emma Thatcher’s off stump to claim her third wicket of the day.
Bishop, who also impressed with the bat, enjoyed a stellar day, heading up the Worcestershire bowling card, finishing on 3-44.
There were two wickets apiece for Beach and Gillgrass, with Egerton and Brett also chipping in with vital wickets, ensuring a well-earned second consecutive victory for the Rapids.
