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Emily and Joleigh see Somerset home against Cornwall
A century stand between Emily Edgecombe and Joleigh Roberts helped Somerset to a comprehensive win over Cornwall in this 50-over match at Taunton Vale Sports Club.
The Somerset pair added 123 for the fourth wicket to see the hosts to a seven-wicket victory.
Somerset Captain, Edgecombe won the toss and elected to field first.
Caitlin Burnett and Rebecca Odgers shared an opening stand of 35 before the former was bowled by Nicole Harvey for 11. The Somerset spinner then also accounted for Odgers, trapping her lwb for 35 at 55 for two.
The visitors then lost four wickets for the addition of just 10 runs.
Isabel Grant-French was bowled by Lola Harris for one, Tilly Eldridge was stumped by Emma Philipson off Harris for the same score, Elsie Pritchard was lbw to Harvey for 0, and Sophie Richardson was run out by Evie Dixon without scoring.
At 65 for six, Cornwall needed someone to stand up and be counted, and fortunately for the visitors, that person was Ellie Mitchell. She made 52 off 68 balls to take her side to 137 before she was caught by Harris off the bowling of Lorraine Szczepanski.
Edgecombe claimed two late wickets, but an unbeaten 40 from Anna Squire helped to ensure that Cornwall posted a total of 183 for nine from their allotted overs.
Harvey was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three for 19 whilst Edgecombe finished with two for 22 and Harris took two for 25.
The Somerset reply had reached 16 in the third over when Harvey was bowled by Millie Matthews for three.
Philipson and Daisy Jeanes took Somerset to 44 before the home keeper was bowled by Eldridge for five in the eighth over.
Jeanes Was looking in good touch and powered her way to 31before she fell lbw to Tegan Smith at 61 for three.
That brought Edgecombe (57 from 71) and Roberts (59 from 89) together to see their side home with more than 14 overs to spare.
After securing the victory, the Somerset Captain said: “Given that it was everyone’s first run out, I think we did really well. I think there was initially a bit of complacency in the field but in the end, we batted and fielded well.”
Joleigh added: “We went at the chase really hard to start with and that’s reflected in the score. We’ve talked about winning games in 40-overs, so it’s been really positive today.”
Somerset Pathway Coach & Women and Girls Lead, Kieran Peters was pleased by his side’s performance. “It was a really good first run out and we evidenced some really good things across all three skills,” he said. “We were clinical with the bat, and what was most pleasing was that we were able to finish the game just three down with two not out batters on 50-plus who went in and finished the job.
“It was a good first performance and I’m looking forward to seeing how this team can grow across the summer.”
PREVIEW
Somerset take on Cornwall in a 50-over match at Taunton Vale Sports Club tomorrow (Sunday April 20th).
Play is due to get underway at 11am.
You can also keep up to date this summer by following the Somerset Women’s X account
TEAM NEWS
Somerset will name a starting XI from the following squad: Emily Edgcombe (c), Joleigh Roberts, Laila Moledina, Lilly Hawkins, Daisy Jeanes, Jess Hazell, Emma Phillipson, Nicole Harvey, Karla Rose, Alice Bird, Tilly Bond, Evie Dixon, Lorraine Szczepanski, Lola Harris and Katie Rowe.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the game, Somerset Pathway Coach & Women and Girls Lead, Kieran Peters said: “It’s extremely exciting to be getting the season underway. Everyone’s ready and raring to go, and we’re looking forward to what will hopefully be a full summer of cricket.
“I can’t understate the importance of the players getting the chance to play 50-over cricket. We want the level below professional cricket to look as close as it can do to the pro game in order to give players the opportunity to experience playing 50-over cricket. It’s important for them to understand what the game looks like and how they need to approach it. The 50-over competition also means that there’s more cricket to play throughout the summer which is something that we’ve all been wanting.
“It’s important that we start well and set the tone regarding how we want to approach our cricket. We want to demonstrate the intent that we want to play with across batting, bowling and fielding. We want to be setting a really high standard in how we approach our cricket throughout the whole year.”
NEXT MATCH
Somerset Women are next in 50-over action on Monday May 6th when we travel to the Hamworthy Club to take on Dorset.
