Sussex Sharks vs Kent Women

There weren't too many moments here, as the clouds blanketed Hove, where its hosts seemed perturbed by their neighbours Kent. From the outset Sussex kept a firm grip on this Metro Bank One Day Cup clash, scored big from their 50 overs and bowled well enough. It wasn't a complete performance, but it was one of merit. And, most importantly, a crucial victory that was thoroughly deserved. 

Minus the murk clinging to the skies above, things started brightly on the luscious turf below it. Mollie Adams, who is enjoying a fantastic opening to the campaign, scored big again here: finding the gaps neatly on her way to 76. A mere 7 boundaries - all along the ground - showed her expertise with the bat. It was intelligent cricket, not brutal batting. At the other end Izzy Collis played her part, too, making 39 from 54 balls and looking good in the process. She was run out by Tilly Callaghan to break the opening partnership - one that had spawned 117 runs in 21 overs.

That platform proved pivotal, for it provided others with a stage to shine. Mary Taylor marked her return with a quickfire 16, but it was the power hitting of Chiara Green and Nancy Harman that propelled Sussex into a promising position. Captain Green batted well, and sensibly too. She made a handsome 35 before also returning to the pavilion as result of a run out, but that opened the door to Harman, who smacked 41 runs off just 29 deliveries - including three huge blows down the ground - to lift Sussex ever closer to the 300 mark. 

By this stage Adams had been brilliantly caught by Callaghan, but with her head held high having made a century in her previous match in this tournament. Daisy Gibb arrived at the crease, and another blistering knock from very few balls (40 from 24) lifted Sussex to 300-8 at the change of innings. Kent bowlers powerless to the perfection of Sussex's hitting.

And so, Kent's innings. It was all a little too cautious to start, with the visitors comfortably below Sussex's run rate after 10 overs. Opener Megan Sturge actually had the game's finest knock - an elegant 93 from almost as many deliveries, yet by the time her opening partner Grace Poole was caught by Adams after 6.4 overs, Kent only had 19 runs on the board.

Fast forward to the 25th over, and Jess Bird and Sturge had formed a rather impressive partnership. Bird was to go here, however, caught and bowled by the economical Talitha Stanley for a well-manufactured 38. Still Sturge was in, though, upping the ante and giving Green a slight headache in the middle. But fears were quashed eight overs later when Sturge, going for a mighty heave, found the hands of Gibb. Out for 93. A cruel end to a very, very laudable innings.

From that moment it all became rather apparent: Sussex would be claiming victory in this most recent addition of the War of the Wealds. Indeed, there would be more wickets to fall as Gibb, Green and Eve O'Neill all chipped in as Kent fell 42 runs short of the target. A valiant effort, and had it not been for Sussex's swift start with the bat, things might have looked very different beneath the grey gloom of Hove. A moment for Alexia Walker and her young side to saviour. Things are only just getting started.