County Championship Roundup: Sussex and Hampshire lead the way

The second weekend of Royal London Women's One Day Cup county championship again produced some interesting results. The early runners of both divisions come from the South Coast as Sussex and Hampshire lead the way.

There were some notable performance and nowhere was that more evident in our first game of the day.

 

Division One

Somerset v Hampshire

Hampshire won by five wickets at Kings Bruton to make it three wins out of three. In a low scoring game Hampshire’s world-class players made the difference. Sophie Luff was the only Somerset player to score in double figures with 26 not out. Katie George and Fi Morris both took four wickets each.

Having been bowled out for 64 did not see Somerset roll over and concede an easy defeat. Anya Shrubsole kept them in it reducing Hampshire to 17 for 5. It was then left up to Suzie Bates with 30 not out and Charlotte Edwards with 12 not out. Somerset 64 all out lost to Hampshire 67 for 5 by 5 wickets.

 

Warwickshire v Yorkshire

Lauren Winfield continued her good start with an innings of 69. Winfield and Holly Armitage shared a first wicket partnership of 113. Yorkshire, however, could only manage 198 from their 50 overs. It turned out to be enough as Warwickshire were bowled out for 185.

Amy Jones the opening batsman for Warwickshire top scored with 68 before being dismissed by Leigh Kasperek. Katherine Brunt stepped up recovery from injury bowling 7 overs and taking 3 wickets for 31. Yorkshire 198 for 9 beat Warwickshire 185 all out by 13 runs.

 

Middlesex v Kent

Middlesex gained their first win of the season with a victory against Kent. Having lost the toss and being put in by Kent Middlesex scored 203 for 5. Natasha Miles top scoring 42 before falling to Laura Marsh lbw.

Kent lost regular wickets as they were bowled out for 155, to give Middlesex a 48 runs win. Sophia Dunkley was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4 for 23. Middlesex 203 for 5 beat Kent 155 all out by 48 runs.

 

Division Two

Surrey v Sussex

Sussex continued their great form as they made it three wins from three. Surrey batted first and never got going as the Sussex bowlers made regular inroads. At one-point Surrey were 78 for 8, before recovering to 120 all out. Sarah Taylor scored another fifty with a knock of 60 not out as Sussex lost just four wickets in chasing down their modest target.

With average points what decides positions this defeat will have hurt Surrey as the Essex v Berkshire was called off before the start of play. Surrey 120 all out lost to Sussex 121 for 4 by 6 wickets.

 

Northamptonshire v Wales

Wales won their first game of the season with a 53-run win against Northamptonshire. Gabby Basketter top scored with 45 for Wales before being run out for 45.

Patricia Hankins took 4 for 33 as Wales were bowled out for 180. It turned out to be a more than defendable total as Northamptonshire could only manage 127 all out in return. Wales 180 for 9 beat Northamptonshire 127 all out by 53 runs.

 

Devon v Derbyshire

It was a comfortable win for Devon as Felicity Leydon-Davis top scored with 91 not out. Devon managed 203 from their 50 overs. Derbyshire found batting difficult as they were reduced to 80 for 6. Alice Dyson top-scored for Derbyshire with 38.

While Derbyshire have yet to win a game, the division is still tight, and a couple of wins could see them move to mid-table. Devon 203 for 8 beat Derbyshire 121 all out by 82 runs.

 

Essex v Berkshire

The game was called off due to overnight rain. With the way, the points system working and no incentive to replay the game it will benefit Berkshire who are currently in second place.