Worcestershire Women’s Rapids chalked up their second win in the ECB County Championship when they overcame Leicestershire Vixens by two wickets at Cropston CC.
Two excellent individual displays by Izzy Watson and skipper Luaren Rowles helped the Rapids to triumph in a game where they gave a debut to Hannah Baker.
Watson dismantled the Vixens innings after they had reached 77-1 at one stage after electing to bat.
She finished with the superb figures of 9-3-21-6 as the Vixens were eventually bowled out for 137 in 41 overs.
The last five wickets went down for just 16 runs.
Watson received excellent support from Sally Clarke (10-1-39-3) and she dismissed the Vixens main contributor in Harriet Leach.
Leach made 59 off 63 balls with eight boundaries before she holed out to deep mid wicket.
Clare Boycott also made an important contribution in a frugal spell which earned her figures of 10-1-25-1.
The Rapids lost two early wickets before Rowles came to the wicket and produced a captain’s innings.
Wickets still continued to tumble at the other end at one stage the Rapids were 87-7.
But Rowles then added 28 with Clarke (10) and Jessica Humby (one not out) kept her company in edging the Rapids over the finishing line in 39 overs.
Rowles finished unbeaten on 61 and hit seven fours in her 88 ball knock.
Rapids Head Coach Sam Wyles said, “Although we made it more difficult than it should have, I’m pleased to see us get over the line.
“We have faltered in similar chases like this in the past. Lauren deserves credit for her knock taking the responsibility.
“Izzy and Sally strangled their innings superbly to get us into a position of strength by the innings break.
“It would have been nice for us to win under different circumstances but this shows that we can bat through to our number 11. The challenge for the top order now is to fire during the upcoming matches.”
The Rapids will next be in action on Sunday (May 20) when they take on Shropshire Women at Kidderminster (11am start).
