Sunrisers faced Southern Vipers in their opening game of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in Chelmsford. The Sunrisers team included the centrally contracted players Fran Wilson and Mady Villiers whereas the Southern Vipers were bolstered by the inclusion of Danielle Wyatt.
Southern Vipers won the toss and elected to field first. They quickly had the Sunrisers on the mat taking 3 early wickets for 30 runs in their first 10 overs to hamper their innings. However, with the experience of Mady Villiers and the capabilities of one of their pillars, Naomi Dattani, they bounced back, posting a partnership of 92 to bring themselves back into the competition. Then, with the score on 122, Naomi Dattani fell LBW to Danni Wyatt for 42 runs. With the fall of regular wickets, it was left to Mady Villiers to anchor the innings and take her side to a respectable score. She reached her half-century with a boundary off Lauren Bell in the 37th over. However, Paige Scholfield picked up three wickets towards the back-end and also forced the run-out of May Villiers for 64 to end the Sunrisers innings on 202 in the 47th over. Mady Villiers was the top scorer for Sunrisers with 64 off 83 balls. Naomi Dattani was also impressive, scoring 42 runs. Among the Southern Vipers side, Paige Scholfield was the pick of the bowlers picking up 3 wickets for 33 runs while also accounting for 2 run-outs, including that of Mady Villiers.
Chasing 203 for their first win, Southern Vipers built a very solid platform with the opening partnership between Danni Wyatt and Georgia Adams. Danni Wyatt reached her half-century and the very next ball, the team reached 100 within the first 15 overs. Georgia Adams made 37 runs before being dismissed LBW to Mady Villiers with the score on 111 in the 16th over. This brought Maia Bouchier to the crease and she worked alongside her senior partner to keep the progress intact. Danni Wyatt was finally undone by Alice Macleod for 66 as they reached 140 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. Maia Bouchier departed for 33 off the bowling of Kelly Castle with the score at 180. Charlotte Dean and Paige Scholfield took them home in the 37th over without any further damage. Danni Wyatt was the pick of the batters with 66 runs off 73 balls as her side won the game by 7 wickets. Paige Scholfield also impressed with a run-a-ball 23 in addition to her bowling efforts.
With this victory, Southern Vipers have picked up 5 points to open their account while the Sunrisers will have to wait until the next game South East Stars on August 31st at Beckenham. Southern Vipers face Western Vipers the same day in Bristol.
Brief Scores
Sunrisers – 202 all out in 46.1 overs (M Villiers – 64, N Dattani – 42, P Scholfield – 3/33)
Southern Vipers – 208/3 in 36.2 overs (D Wyatt – 66)
Southern Vipers Won By 7 Wickets