Derbyshire Preview: Women’s Rapids eye bounce back against Falcons

Metro Bank One Day Cup Women’s League Two : Worcestershire Rapids Women v Derbyshire Falcons Women 

Venue: Wolverhampton Cricket Club

Date: Sunday 17 August

Scheduled start time: 10:30am

Worcestershire Rapids Women play host to Derbyshire Falcons on Sunday, with the home side looking to create some consistency in their charge for a 50-over qualification place.

Ed Wilson’s side currently sit fifth in the table, with three wins and three losses from their opening six fixtures in the tournament.

Worcestershire Rapids fell to a 53-run defeat at the hands of Gloucestershire, as the away side pushed hard in a steep run chase, but valiant individual efforts did not prove enough in a frustrating defeat in League 2 of the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Jess Beach and Flora Bertwistle took three wickets apiece in efficient spells, while Hannah Hardwick picked up two wickets for herself as the Rapids worked hard to bowl Gloucestershire out for 291.

An opening stand of 103 between Clare Boycott and Gwen Davies got the Rapids off to an the perfect start in reply, while valuable contributions from Sophie Beech (40) and Bryony Gillgrass (46) kept the visitors in touch as the game reached it’s climax.

When Gillgrass lost her wicket at a crucial time, the final three wickets fell for nine runs as Worcestershire’s determined chase of an imposing target petered out.

Ed Wilson says his side must “bring it all together” as the Rapids search for some consistency in preparation for Sunday’s crucial clash with Derbyshire

Having cruised to a big win over Kent Spitfires a week previous, Gloucestershire’s total of 291 proved 60 runs too many for the girls last Saturday, as a promising start to the innings eventually petered out.

Wilson, said his side were aware of their shortfalls in a valiant effort to chase a big score, but couldn’t quite hold on to get over the line against a strong Gloucestershire outfit.

“The girls were disappointed, that is for sure, but we had a look at how we got into that situation and where we fell short with the hope that this weekend, if we find ourselves in a similar position, we know how to get the job done. 

“Both Clare and Gwen laid a superb foundation for us at the top of the card, but when we lost wickets towards the back end, they fell at really important times unfortunately. 

“Having said that, we put together a really encouraging performance for large parts and we are ready to jump back into things this Sunday.”

After a positive end to the T20 campaign, the side are looking to go deeper into the 50-over competition, with sights set on some silverware come the end of the season.

With only a handful of games remaining in the League 2 group stage for the Rapids to secure qualification, the onus is on the side to bring together all three facets of their performances moving forward.

Wilson, however is keeping his eyes firmly focussed on this weekend’s date with Derbyshire, indicating that his side won’t be looking too far ahead either.

“We have come up against Derbyshire once already this season and we know the threat that they carry with both the bat and the ball, having said that, our main focus has been within our own group. 

“I know the girls are already feeling the benefit of some positive recent results and that has coincided with some really good cricket, especially amongst our batting group. 

“At this level we know small errors like being poor in the field or giving away cheap wickets can be costly, but we have more than enough quality in this side to move past those errors and show some real quality.”

Derbyshire Falcons Women

The Falcons went down in a heavy eight wicket defeat to Middlesex in their previous outing, after suffering the same fate in their defeat to Northants Steelbacks in the game before that.

Struggling for form and currently propping up the table, Derbyshire travel to Wolverhampton looking for some sort of result and secure what would be a first win of the season.

Jessica Couser and Harriet Parkin have made a name for themselves as the ones to watch with the bat for the Falcons, as they look to impose their big hitting styles on the Rapids bowlers.