In an action-packed 70th match of the ECB Women’s One-Day Cup 2026 at Chester-le-Street, Durham Women pulled off a sensational run chase to defeat Warwickshire Women by 4 wickets with 25 balls to spare.
Warwickshire Women took to the crease first, setting up a solid platform through an aggressive opening stand. Wicketkeeper-batter Natasha Wraith played a lively hand of 48 off 39 balls alongside Chloe Brewer, who accumulated a patient 24 off 52 balls. Their 79-run opening partnership provided early momentum before Mady Villiers broke through by having Wraith caught by Trudy Johnson in the 15th over. Shortly after, Katie Levick struck to remove Brewer lbw with the score at 85/2.
Brooke Halliday joined skipper Katie George but was run out by Lauren Filer for 7 runs, leaving Warwickshire at 103/3. George then anchored the innings brilliantly, forming a crucial 131-run fourth-wicket partnership with Charis Pavely. Pavely contributed a fine 46 off 65 balls before Filer bowled her in the 45th over. Filer sparked a late collapse, also clean-bowling Sophie Beech (4) and Em Arlott (0) to finish with impressive figures of 3/53 in 10 overs.
Eleanor Larosa chipped in late by dismissing Mary Taylor (7) and Alexa Stonehouse (10 off 3 balls), while George remained unbeaten on a magnificent 101* off 108 deliveries. Warwickshire wrapped up their 50 overs at 279/8, supported by 32 extras. Durham’s attack was disciplined, featuring tight spells from Mady Villiers (1/40), Katie Levick (1/46), Trudy Johnson (0/38), and Grace Thompson (0/18).
Chasing a target of 280, Durham Women faced early trouble against Warwickshire’s opening pace bowler Alexa Stonehouse. Stonehouse removed Danielle Collins (3) and Harriet Robson (14) early, leaving Durham reeling at 32/2. However, skipper Hollie Armitage took complete control, mounting a crucial 46-run third-wicket stand with Mady Villiers (24) before Phoebe Brett dismissed Villiers to make it 78/3.
Armitage found another reliable partner in Grace Thompson (35), stitching together an 84-run stand for the fourth wicket. Em Arlott eventually removed Thompson with the score at 162/4, bringing Bess Heath to the middle. Armitage and Heath unleashed an electric 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket that practically sealed the contest. Armitage brought up a superb match-winning century, scoring 107 off 119 balls before being caught by Mary Taylor off Hannah Baker (1/64) at 263/5.
Charis Pavely (1/37) caught and bowled the explosive Heath (63 off 53 balls) shortly after at 269/6, but the damage was already done. Mia Rogers (3*) and Eleanor Larosa (8* off 8 balls) calmly completed the chase, steering Durham to 280/6 in 45.5 overs. Despite efforts from Stonehouse (2/52), Arlott (1/42), Brett (1/47), Baker (1/64), and Pavely (1/37), alongside Mary Taylor’s tight spell of 0/34, Durham’s formidable middle-order masterclass secured a memorable victory.
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