Southern Vipers Crush Western Storm for Bonus Point Victory

Southern Vipers, the reigning champions of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, secured a dominant bonus point victory over Western Storm at the 1st Central County Ground. The comprehensive win keeps the Vipers firmly in contention for a semi-final berth.

Captain Georgia Adams led the Vipers' bowling attack with an impressive 3 for 17 from six overs. Seamer Mary Taylor also chipped in with three wickets, as Storm were dismissed for a mere 156 after being put into bat.

In response, a masterful 65 not out from Georgia Elwiss and a solid 49 from Ella McCaughan guided the Vipers to victory within 30 overs.

Storm's innings got off to a slow start, thanks to the disciplined bowling of Freyas Davies and Kemp. Davies, returning from successive stress fractures, claimed her first wicket in the fifth over.

Storm skipper Sophie Luff and Emma Corney steadied the ship with a 40-run partnership before Taylor dismissed Corney for 20. Fran Wilson kept the scoreboard ticking over but was caught by Elwiss, while Luff was trapped lbw by Charli Knott.

Nat Wraith attempted to counterattack but lacked support as wickets fell regularly at the other end. Amanda-Jade Wellington, Niamh Holland, and Alex Griffiths all departed cheaply.

Wraith eventually fell for 31, and the Storm found themselves reeling at 148 for 8. The final two wickets fell in successive balls, as Chloe Skelton and Mollie Robbins were dismissed by Rhianna Southby and Taylor, respectively.

The Vipers' reply began positively, with McCaughan and Knott scoring at a steady pace. However, McCaughan was dismissed for 20 in the eighth over, bringing Elwiss to the crease.

Elwiss and McCaughan combined for a 73-run partnership, with McCaughan targeting wide deliveries and Elwiss favoring the off side. McCaughan was eventually trapped lbw for 49, but Elwiss continued to accelerate.

Elwiss took three boundaries off Griffiths and another three off Wellington to bring the Vipers within striking distance of victory. Adams was dismissed for 10, but a boundary from Kemp sealed the bonus point win for the Vipers.

Tags: #RachaelHeyhoeFlintTrophy, #SouthernVipers, #WesternStorm, #GeorgiaAdams, #GeorgiaElwiss