Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Round-Up: 29/30 May

Various members of Kent Women’s South East T20-winning squad were in action for their regional sides over the Bank Holiday Weekend in the opening rounds of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 50-over competition.

Horses vice-captain Tash Farrant stole the show in the South East Stars’ opening match of the competition, finishing with career-best figures of 5/33 to help put the Sunrisers to the sword at the Cloudfm County Ground in Chelmsford.

The left-armer dismissed all of Sunrisers’ top four batters, including Kent teammate Fran Wilson for 10, as the hosts could only muster 187 all out in reply to the Stars’ 324/7. 17-year-old Grace Scrivens, who made 94* for Kent Women in a T20 earlier this season, scored 36 in Sunrisers’ middle-order.

With the bat, Kent’s Alice Davidson-Richards made 53 opening the batting for South East Stars, whilst Kent all-rounder Grace Gibbs made a destructive cameo down the order, scoring 31 from 21 deliveries. She also went on to dismiss the dangerous Mady Villiers, bowling her through the gate for 34.

The Stars’ second match of the weekend saw them take on the Southern Vipers, who are coached by Kent Women legend Charlotte Edwards, at The County Ground, Beckenham. Davidson-Richards was dismissed without scoring, but another score of 29 from Grace Gibbs helped South East Stars to 137 all out, a score chased down by the Vipers in the 29th over.

Kent skipper Tammy Beaumont and ‘keeper-batter Sarah Bryce opened the batting for Lightning at The Ageas Bowl against the Southern Vipers on the opening day. Bryce fell after facing three balls to provide a big early breakthrough for the hosts, but Beaumont top-scored for the visitors with 57 as Lightning made 214/9.

Horses teammate Kirstie Gordon achieved a similar bowling performance to South East Stars’ Tash Farrant as the Vipers made their reply – she dismissed their top order and finished with match figures of 4/35. Sarah Bryce also took two catches behind the stumps, and Beaumont one in the field from the bowling of Kent teammate Gordon.

Lightning’s second match of the weekend was another defeat, this time to Northern Diamonds, with Beaumont making 21, taking two catches and Bryce taking a quick reaction catch behind the stumps.

Sunrisers also faced Thunder at Chester on Monday. Fran Wilson raced to a quick 50 from 45 balls before being dismissed, and Grace Scrivens hit 19 runs in a run-chase cut short in the 46th over, Scrivens also taking a wicket with her off-spin earlier in the match.

After all teams played two matches apiece in the opening weekend, Southern Vipers sit at the top of the table with nine points, with South East Stars in third (5 pts) and Lightning and Sunrisers yet to pick up points.

The next round of fixtures involving Kent Women stars takes place this weekend (10:30 starts):

• Saturday 5th June:
  • South East Stars vs. Western Storm, Kia Oval – FREE ENTRY
  • Sunrisers vs. Northern Diamonds, Cambridge
• Sunday 6th June:
  • Thunder vs. Lightning, Chester