Sussex Women win Regional Vitality Blast T20 trophy again

Sussex Women beat Hampshire Pathways by 25 runs in the final of the regional Vitality Blast T20 County competition to win the trophy for the second year running.

Held at The 1st Central County Ground yesterday, the Group 5 Finals Day featured Sussex, Hampshire, Bucks Cricket and Berkshire CCC.

The first of the two semi-finals saw Hampshire book their place in the final with a huge 116-run victory over Bucks Cricket.

Having set Bucks 177 to win, the Hampshire bowling attacked made quick work of dismissing the Bucks batters for just 60 runs.

Similarly, Sussex secured a spot in the final with a convincing 64-run victory over Berkshire CCC in the second semi-final.

Having won the toss and elected to bowl, Berkshire were seemingly made to pay for that decision, as opener Mary Taylor made her way to 82 not-out from 62 deliveries.

That meant Berkshire would require 137 to win the game, however the Sussex bowling attack ensured that the chase never really got going.

Two wickets a piece from Mary Taylor and Nancy Harman, as well as contributions from Chiara Green, Linsey Smith and Millie Taylor restricted Berkshire to 72/7 in response.

And with that an elclasicoast final was set up.

Sussex skipper Georgia Adams won the toss and elected to bat and it was a choice that paid off.

Wicket-keeper batter Nicole Faltum top scored this time round for Sussex, making 37 from 38 deliveries, while useful contributions from Georgia Adams (18) and Linsey Smith (24*) got Sussex to a defendable score of 122-5.

Hampshire openers looked to have made a good start in chasing down, Charlotte Taylor’s 44 from 55 gave them a platform but wickets from Chiara Green and captain Adams slowed their progress down as they laboured to 97-6 from their 20 overs, meaning Sussex lifted the trophy for the second time running.

Congratulations to all involved! #GOSBT