Worcestershire Women’s Rapids are celebrating their second trophy in two seasons after defeating Staffordshire by 84 runs in the final of the West Midlands Regional Cup at Kenilworth Wardens CC.
The Rapids had triumphed in the ECB County T20 Cup Group Two competition last summer in impressive style and deservedly have lifted more silverware.
Milly Home struck a half century in the Rapids total of 216 all out after they had been put into bat. There were also excellent contributions from Gabby Basketter and Georgina Macey.
The Rapids new ball attack of Amy Maund and Charlotte Roberts then reduced Staffordshire to 34-3 before spinners Flora Bertwhistle and Phoebe Brett took centre stage.
Staffordshire were eventually dismissed for 132 in 31.3 overs as the Rapids gained revenge for last week’s defeat in the final group fixtures.
Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles paid tribute to the Rapids after their latest triumph.
He said: “It’s really encouraging to see women’s cricket blossoming in Worcestershire in recent years and to also back it up with a trophy in 2022 and 2023.
“There has been a steady stream of talented players coming through the pathway, some of whom have gone on to achieve international honours.
“Even with several players away with The Hundred, the Rapids have been able to put out a strong team capable of winning another final, and the future looks bright.”
Rapids openers Home and Clare Boycott (18) gave their side a fine start with a partnership of 48 in 8.5 overs.
Home then added a further 32 with fit-again captain Chloe Hill (15) and 40 with Basketter before she was third out for 52 from 64 balls with eight fours with the total on 120.
Basketter (48 off 47 balls with six fours) and Macey (30 off 35 balls with five fours), who has just returned to the side after maternity leave, then lifted the total to 174-3 with a partnership of 54.
The last seven wickets went down for 42 in 11.4 overs but the Rapids still had a challenging total on the board and Maund and Roberts soon made inroads.
Maund dismissed opener Meg Austin for a duck and Roberts struck in successive overs.
It gave their side a grip on proceedings they never looked relinquishing.
Bertwhistle and Brett then turned the screw during accurate and probing spells as Staffordshire collapsed to 88-8.
The ninth wicket pair provided stubborn resistance in adding 34 before Mia Smith was bowled by Boycott who then rounded off a splendid win by trapping top-scorer Matilda Atherton-Gater (42) lbw.
Maund finished with 5-0-14-1, Roberts 5-0-19-2, Bertwhistle 8-2-20-2, Brett 7-0-36-2 and Boycott 3.3-1-10-2.
