Report & Reaction: Central Sparks v Southern Vipers, RHFT

Central Sparks turned the Rachael Heyhoe Flint table upside down by beating league leaders Southern Vipers by seven wickets at Worcester.

Sparks took full advantage of Vipers’ depletion by international calls to add another victory to their five-wicket Charlotte Edwards Cup win over Georgia Adams’ side at Visit Worcestershire New Road in June.

Put in, Vipers were bowled out for 183 in 48.4 overs as Georgia Elwiss (64 not out, 86 balls) fought a lone battle against a potent attack led by Emily Arlott (four for 15) and Charis Pavely (four for 31).

Sparks then cruised to 184 for three with 64 balls to spare after a polished opening stand of 95 between Eve Jones (54, 38) and Ami Campbell (48, 63) gave the pursuit a perfect platform.

Vipers started solidly with an opening partnership of 64 between Rhianna Southby (36, 43) and Ella McCaughan (26, 54) but were then hit by a superb spell from Arlott.

The 26-year-old broke through when Southby top-edged a pull and removed the other opener in her next over when McCaughan drove round an inswinger and was bowled.

After Georgia Adams and Emily Windsor edged to Arlott to wicketkeeper Abbey Freeborn, four wickets had fallen for 28 runs in 57 balls.

Elwiss dug in for Vipers but partners came and went as the Sparks’ spinners got to work.

Hannah Baker trapped Abi Norgrove lbw, sweeping, and Pavely bowled Nancy Harman with a beauty.

Georgia Davis flighted one on to Linsey Smith’s off stump and Pavely added two more wickets in four balls when Mary Taylor was lbw and Freya Davies was bowled through a sizeable gate.

Last batter Ava Lee lasted 28 balls to help Elwiss add 36 but Vipers still came in short.

They desperately needed to strike early with the ball but Sparks opening pair Jones and Campbell put 50 on the board in 12 overs.

The openers turned the chase into a formality with a stand of 95 in 19.3 overs before Campbell sent a low return catch to Lee.

Davina Perrin edged Adams to wicketkeeper Southby and the Vipers’ captain removed her Sparks counterpart when Jones was caught on the long on rope but the Sparks skipper departed with her side on the threshold of victory.

A dazzling cameo from Katie George (38 from 29 balls with a six and six fours) saw Sparks over the line and left Vipers still with work to do to qualify and Sparks reflecting on what might have been if they had produced performances of this quality on a consistent basis.

Sparks captain Eve jones said:

"It was a really good performance and very satisfying to make it back-to-back bonus points wins. The bowlers did really well to set up the game for us.

“Em Arlott bowled her ten overs straight off and just bowled so well that I had to keep her on.

“Then the spinners came on and put a real squeeze on the run-rate and forced them into errors so they kept losing wickets and came in well below par.

"Then Campbo [Amy Campbell] beautifully to give us a strong start in reply and we chased it down quite comfortably.

“We have played really well, putting in proper all-round team performances in the last two games, and it is a bit of a shame that we couldn't play like that earlier in the competition but we just want to keep going now and finish on a high."

Vipers all-rounder Georgia Elwiss said:

"It was a tough day at the office. Fair play to Sparks, we were outplayed in all facets of the game.

“We had a good start with the bat but then lost wickets too regularly and came in a long way under par.

“Then they chased it down well but when you are defending a small total there is a tendency to try to chase wickets and that can lead to some bad balls, as it did.

"It is a disappointing result but we have worked really hard this season to get ourselves into a strong position in the table.

“We are still top, though that might change when other games are played over the weekend. 

"We have got a really big game coming up next against Northern Diamonds on Wednesday and these are the times, late in the season, when minds and bodies are tired, that it is a question of who can dig deepest. We are still hungry to do that."