Report: Bears v Somerset, Women’s T20 – Final
Bears Women won a thrilling final at the Edgbaston Community Sports Ground to defeat Somerset by four wickets and be crowned Women’s County T20 Group Three Champions.
In a tight, entertaining game, the Bears reached their 141 victory target with just five balls to spare thanks in no part to an excellent unbeaten 57 from Bethan Ellis.
Having restricted to Somerset for 140 for eight, the Bears response took a hit when they were reduced to 67 for five in the 11th over. But a fantastic 72-run partnership between Ellis and Ria Fackrell (28) wrestled all the momentum back in the Bears’ favour.
Ellis was the star of the final, picking up three wickets (3/14), before striking 57 not out (45 balls, seven fours). Anisha Patel (1/26), Issy Wong (1/26) and Georgia Davis (1/13) all took wickets in first innings as Captain Marie Kelly used seven bowlers.
In their reply, the Bears got off to a tough start with regular wickets falling and the required run-rate creeping up. But the excellent Ellis stepped up with Fackrell, hitting nine boundaries, including a beautiful six from Fackrell in the penultimate over, to get the Bears in touching distance of the trophy.
Fackrell fell on 28, but Ellis managed to see her side home with Beth Charnell. With just one defeat in the whole campaign, Dominic Ostler’s side were deserved winners of the Group Three competition.