In an exciting 66th fixture of the ECB Women’s One-Day Cup at Taunton, Somerset Women produced a stunning run chase against Lancashire Women to secure a 5-wicket victory with 13 balls to spare.
Choosing to lay down a target, Lancashire Women opened their innings with Eve Jones and Gaby Lewis. However, Somerset’s bowling attack made early inroads. Alex Griffiths trapped Eve Jones (9 off 19 balls) lbw at 23/1 in 5.4 overs, before Chloe Skelton removed Tilly Kesteven (3 off 6 balls) via a caught-and-bowled dismissal to leave Lancashire at 42/2 in 9.1 overs. Gaby Lewis looked positive, striking 36 off 42 balls (7 fours), but her knock ended when she fell to Lola Harris, caught by Jess Hazell at 63/3 in 13.5 overs. Captain Eleanor Threlkeld added 20 off 31 balls (2 fours) before being run out by Alex Griffiths at 74/4 in 18.2 overs.
Facing a top-order collapse, Seren Smale teamed up with Fi Morris to anchor the innings with a brilliant 126-run partnership. Morris crafted a solid 56 off 64 balls (6 fours, 1 six) before falling to Chloe Skelton (caught by Ellie Anderson) at 200/5 in 42.1 overs. Somerset’s bowlers then struck back late: Darcey Carter made 10 off 15 balls before being bowled by Ellie Anderson at 220/6, and Kate Cross fell for a golden duck to Anderson on the very next ball at 220/7.
Seren Smale’s brave knock of 82 off 106 balls (5 fours, 1 six) ended when Anderson had her caught by Skelton at 227/8. Vinali Weerappuli added 6 off 6 balls (1 four) before falling to Griffiths (caught Harris) at 234/9. Grace Potts (7* off 8) and Sophie Morris (2* off 2) remained unbeaten, carrying Lancashire Women to 240/9 in 50 overs (9 extras).
Somerset’s bowlers bowled with discipline: Ellie Anderson finished with 3/41 in 9 overs, Alex Griffiths claimed 2/60 in 9 overs, and Chloe Skelton logged 2/39 in 10 overs. Lola Harris was extremely tight, conceding just 32 runs for 1 wicket in her 10 overs, while Jasmine Westley (0/53 in 10 overs) and Niamh Holland (0/13 in 2 overs) provided middle-overs support.
Chasing a target of 241, Somerset Women suffered early losses. Sophie Morris struck twice early, bowling Bex Odgers (16 off 26 balls, 3 fours) at 35/1 in 8.2 overs and getting captain Sophie Luff (23 off 38 balls, 2 fours) caught by Potts at 52/2 in 14.1 overs. Niamh Holland made 15 off 22 balls before being bowled by Vinali Weerappuli at 87/3 in 21.5 overs. Opener Emma Corney anchored the top order with a steady 51 off 78 balls (2 fours), but a sharp run-out by Seren Smale dismissed her at 142/4 in 34.4 overs.
The chase shifted into top gear through a match-winning 97-run partnership between Jess Hazell and Katie Jones. Hazell top-scored with an unbeaten 77 off 85 balls (8 fours, 1 six), playing with remarkable poise. Katie Jones provided explosive momentum, blasting 47 off 39 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) before Grace Potts had her caught by Fi Morris at 239/5 in 47.3 overs. Alex Griffiths (1* off 1 ball) joined Hazell to complete the task as Somerset reached 241/5 in 47.5 overs (11 extras).
Lancashire’s bowling effort was led by Sophie Morris, who took 2/40 in 10 overs. Fi Morris maintained control with 0/38 in 10 overs, while Vinali Weerappuli (1/43 in 10 overs) and Grace Potts (1/49 in 8.5 overs) picked up crucial wickets. Kate Cross yielded 0/54 in 7 overs, and Darcey Carter went for 0/17 in 2 overs as Somerset wrapped up a superb run-chase victory.
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