Sussex Sharks Women defeated Worcestershire Rapids Women by 29 runs in a high-quality Metro Bank One Day Cup encounter marked by a commanding century from opener Mollie Adams and a destructive five-wicket spell from pace bowler Anna Buckle at Visit Worcestershire New Road .
Having won the toss and elected to bowl first, Worcestershire looked to make early inroads, but Sussex openers Adams and Phoebe Wilkinson laid a steady platform. The pair put on 80 for the opening stand, capitalising on extras and rotating the strike effectively, with Wilkinson striking six boundaries in her 37 off 67 balls.
The breakthrough came in the 21st over in unfortunate fashion for the Sharks. A breakdown in communication saw Wilkinson run out at the non-striker’s end following a sharp piece of fielding by Clare Boycott and Bryony Gillgrass.
Worcestershire took advantage of the opening, with Flora Bertwistle striking in the 31st over. Collis (15) attempted an ambitious sweep but was beaten by a well-flighted delivery and bowled.
Sussex tried to rebuild, but King’s aggressive intent backfired. Looking to lap-scoop Emily Churms, she succeeded only in finding short fine leg, where Boycott made no mistake – King out for 22.
Captain Green partnered well with Adams to add 57 runs, but just as she began to lift the tempo, she was undone by Phoebe Brett in the 47th over. Attempting a flashing drive through the off side, Green (24) edged one to her off stump.
Westley followed soon after, attempting a quick single to push the scoring in the death overs, she was run out by a sharp return from Ruby Davis to Boycott at the bowler’s end.
Despite the regular wickets, Mollie Adams remained a picture of composure. She brought up her century in the 48th over, reaching three figures off 143 balls with 14 boundaries – a classy, measured innings. She carried her bat, finishing on 104 not out off 146 balls, guiding the Sharks to 250/5 from their 50 overs, with 38 extras proving costly for the Rapids.
In reply, Worcestershire began brightly. Gwen Davies and Charlotte Boycott added 40 for the first wicket, with Davies settling in fluently and Boycott playing with positive intent.
The introduction of Anna Buckle changed the momentum. In her first over from the Diglis End, she produced a superb delivery that swung in and then seamed away to beat Boycott’s defence and clip the top of off stump, a textbook dismissal, with Boycott departing for 17 off 17.
Davies continued in composed fashion, raising her half-century from 62 balls and striking nine boundaries in total. But just as she began to shift gears, she was undone by a delivery from Green that stayed low and cannoned into her stumps, a cruel end to an impressive 53 off 72.
Skipper Chloe Hill (10 off 25) was next to go, bowled through the gate by Green’s off-spin after advancing down the track. At 95/3, the Rapids needed consolidation.
Gillgrass and Davis gave them hope, adding 42 runs. Gillgrass struck a clean 29 from 27 balls, including a six over midwicket, before falling lbw to O’Neill as she looked to flick across the line. Davis, who had played with urgency, was trapped lbw by Gibb trying to work to leg after contributing a busy 19.
Amy Wheeler played a sparkling cameo to swing the momentum again, blasting 27 off 24 balls, including two fours and a towering slog-swept six. But Buckle returned to deliver the killer blow, beating Wheeler’s big shot with a straight one to bowl her.
That wicket sparked a collapse. Churms was bowled two balls later, playing back to Buckle, while Beech (21) top-edged a full toss to midwicket, and Brett (9) fell to a sharp catch by Green at short third off Gibb.
Buckle fittingly ended the innings, bowling Jess Beach for one to complete her five-wicket haul and seal the win. Her final figures of 6.4-0-27-5 capped a sensational spell, blending swing, seam, and control.
