Warwickshire Women fall just short in home opener
Warwickshire Women suffered an agonising 13-run-defeat at the hands of visiting Yorkshire at their first home match of the Royal London Cup on Sunday.
Needing 199 to win after restricting the visitors to 198/9, the Bears looked primed to secure victory after a good 58 opening partnership between Amy Jones and Gwenan Davies.
But some timely wickets and excellent bowling from Katherine Brunt (7-1-31-3) and Leigh Kasperek (10-3-22-3) meant the Bears fell just short.
Bears captain Marie Kelly won the toss and elected to field at the Edgbaston Foundation Sports Ground, Portland Road.
Yorkshire’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Lauren Winfield, and captain Hollie Armitage opened the batting with a confident 113-run partnership.
But the Bears struck back in the 24th over when spinner Anisha Patel bowled Armitage for 44, causing a barrage of wickets. Georgia Davis sent Danielle Hazel (1) returning to the pavilion after facing just nine balls and her excellent afternoon continued as she finished with figures of 4/35.
At 155/6, Hannah Buck (26) and Leigh Kasperek (18) preserved their wickets under intense pressure, but after 50 overs a target of 199 was set.
In reply, the Bears started brightly with Jones reaching a quick half-century, before being dismissed on 68 off 58 balls (11 4s).
A partnership of Jenny Gunn and Joanne Gardner restored order, before Gunn was trapped LBW for 13 in the 35th over.
Laura Crofts was next in and with Warwickshire five down needing 65 off 15 an exciting finale was in progress.
Gardner (30 not out) almost steered the hosts towards the target, but impressive bowling from Brunt, who took three of the final four wickets, left the Bears 14 runs off their target.
As they started to pick up the pace with Gardner smashing the boundary for a four in the 34thover, Yorkshire’s Danielle Hazelle then trapped Gunn for a leg-before-wicket.
Before the match, Warwickshire Sport Direct Ashley Giles was on hand to present Amy Jones and Lizzie Russell with their 100th appearance cap for Warwickshire.
The Bears return to action on Sunday as they travel to face Nottinghamshire Women in the Women’s One Day Cup.