On Wednesday 10th July, the Southern Vipers took on the South East Stars at Falkland CC which saw two Berkshire pathway players named in the matchday squad. The Southern Vipers, with their rich history of success, were up against a formidable South East Stars side that have proven on multiple occasions that they have the quality within their side to cause an upset.
The Vipers won the toss and elected to bowl, and after a premature rain delay, the game got underway with the overs being restricted to 46 a side. Former Stars bowler, Davies hadn’t taken four wickets in an innings since March 2021 where she took 4fer for England against New Zealand. But she generated impressive pace to take four for 14 at Falkland Cricket Club, limiting the Stars to 120 – with hometown hero Ava Lee and Charlie Knott each securing two wickets. Mary Taylor made the initial breakthrough by getting Tash Farrant to edge a drive behind to Megan Sturge, who was keeping wicket for the first time due to Rhianna Southby’s finger injury.
However, it was Davies who posted a greater threat, reducing the visitors to 22-4. It marked the beginning of two wickets in an over for homegrown Ava Lee, who was playing on the same ground where she started her cricket journey at under 11’s for Falkland CC. The England under 19’s spinner had Davidson-Richards caught behind.
The Vipers’ response was emphatic! While the Stars managed only six boundaries in their innings, the Vipers matched that number within fourteen overs. Knott and Ella McCaughan built a solid opening partnership of 46 runs in under eight overs before McCaughan was decieved by a sharply turning off-spinner from Moore. Geogia Adams then joined Knott at the crease, adding a further 43 runs together before both Adams and Emily Windsor were dismissed.
Knott continued to impress, skilfully dispatching anything that was bowled wide to reach a 56-ball fifty. Knott hit the winning runs as the Southern Vipers chased down their target with overs to spare.
The match between the Southern Vipers and the South East Stars was a testament to the growing competitiveness and talent in women’s cricket. Both teams played with great spirit and skill, providing fans with a great spectacle of 50 over cricket.