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Derby victory for Somerset Women
Somerset women came out on top against their Gloucestershire counterparts by two wickets in this 50-over match at Taunton Vale Sorts Club.
Somerset Captain, Emily Edgecombe won the toss and elected to field.
It looked to have been a very good decision as the home skipper removed Katie Dolman and Emma Corney to leave the visitors on 37 for two. Fran Wilson and Alice Hill took Gloucestershire to 54 before the former was bowled by Alice Bird for 23. Hill was then bowled by Nicole Harvey for 16 at 76 for four.
Wickets continued to fall but an outstanding 90 from Chloe Skelton gave the Gloucestershire bowlers something to defend.
The visitors were eventually all out for 186 from 48.2 overs. Joleigh Roberts was the pick of the Somerset attack, claiming three for 27 from seven overs. There were two wickets apiece for Edgecombe, Harvey and Niamh Holland.
Somerset lost Lilly Hawkins early on but Nicole Harvey and Sophie Luff added 53 for the second wicket. Harvey was the batter to fall, caught by Corney off the bowling of Charlie Phillips for 21.
Nat Wraith and Niamh Holland both fell with the score on 82 but Luff and Edgecombe moved Somerset to 130 before the skipper was dismissed for 15.
The hosts slipped to 156 for eight, but Luff found excellent support from Roberts who hit 24 from 13 balls.
Luff finished unbeaten on 88 as Somerset reached their target with 11.1 overs to spare.
Match Preview: Somerset Women v Gloucestershire Women
THE MATCH
Somerset take on Gloucestershire in a 50-over match at Taunton Vale Sports Club on Sunday (June 25th).
Play is due to get underway at 11am.
You can also keep up to date this summer by following the Somerset Women’s Twitter account
TEAM NEWS
Somerset have named the following squad: Lilly Hawkins, Nicole Harvey, Sophie Luff, Nat Wraith, Niamh Holland, Emily Edgecombe, Karla Rose, Emma Phillipson, Annabel Lamb, Alice Bird, Joleigh Roberts and Tilly Bond.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the game, Somerset Pathway Coach & Women and Girls Lead, Kieran Peters said: “The girls put in a really good performance against Cricket Wales last weekend. We bowled nicely and put some good pressure on up top. We were able to pick up key wickets at key times, and it was really good to see the girls looking to positively influence the game with the bat.
“Lilly Hawkins batted really well at the top. That was her first Women’s County 50, and Nicole Harvey gave her good support. It was also good to see Annabel Lamb and Emma Phillipson, who are on the Pathway, knock off the winning runs.
“Whoever we play, the girls will be ready, but obviously it’s always good fun to play against Gloucestershire in a local derby.
“We have Sophie Luff and Nat Wraith back in the squad and I know that Gloucestershire will have all their pros available, so it should be a good game of cricket.”
NEXT MATCH
Somerset’s next match is on Sunday August 20th when we take on Wiltshire in a 50-over match at Wells Cathedral School.
This match will get underway at 11am.
