In the 8th match of Group A in the Women’s Continental Cup at Ilfov County, Turkey Women squared off against Guernsey Women in a captivating T20 encounter.
Opting to set the tone early, Turkey Women sent in openers Saliha Ozkunduz and Ruveyda Cenik to lay the foundation. However, Guernsey’s bowling attack immediately put pressure on the top order. Saliha Ozkunduz managed 5 off 11 balls before being caught by Katie Robert off Elise Millington’s bowling, breaking the opening stand with the team at 11/1 in 2.2 overs.
Ruveyda Cenik was clean-bowled shortly after by Katie Robert for 2 off 7 balls, leaving the side at 30/2 in 5.2 overs. Ezgi Nur Kilic played a quick cameo of 15 off 18 balls featuring three boundaries before Robert breached her defense to make it 38/3. The pressure mounted rapidly when Goksu Ayan fell for just 2 off 8 balls, caught by Hana Atkinson off Katie Robert, slumping Turkey to 39/4 in 7.3 overs.
Robert concluded her superb spell with figures of 3/31 in 4 overs. Captain Kubra Canavarci tried to stabilize the innings, constructing a vital partnership alongside Suzan Turan. Canavarci hit 10 off 10 balls before a brilliant run-out by Annie Le Ray ended the stand at 79/5 in 11.6 overs. Turan went on to play a crucial knock of 25 off 31 balls with three boundaries, anchoring the middle order. She fell stumped by wicketkeeper Krista De La Mare off Claire Elmore, leaving the scorecard at 113/6 in 17.5 overs.
The lower order found it tough against Guernsey’s tight bowling down the stretch. Zehra Ender scored a gritty 21 off 29 balls before being caught behind by De La Mare off Annie Le Ray at 119/8. Suheda Hancer failed to open her account, caught behind off Le Ray for a duck (118/7), while Reyyan Aliusta managed 1 off 4 before Elmore castled her to make it 92/9 in the final over.
Bowlers Claire Elmore (2/13 in 2 overs) and Annie Le Ray (2/26 in 4 overs) tightened the screws late on. Supported by Elise Millington’s miserly 1/9 in 4 overs and 43 extras, Turkey Women finished their 20 overs at 126/9, setting Guernsey a target of 127.
Chasing 127 for victory, Guernsey Women experienced a disastrous start courtesy of sharper field discipline from Turkey. Francesca Bulpitt was run out by Suheda Hancer and keeper Ruveyda Cenik for 1 off 1 ball, leaving Guernsey at 4/1 in 1.5 overs.
Opening partner Philippa Stahelin struggled to break free, scoring 3 off 22 balls before another sharp run-out involving Zehra Ender and Cenik made it 13/2 in 3.6 overs. Katie Robert led the fightback with a brilliant counter-attacking knock of 35 off 48 balls (4 fours). She formed a brisk partnership with Annie Le Ray, who chipped in with 13 off 12 balls before being trapped LBW by Ezgi Nur Kilic at 44/3 in 7.5 overs.
Rebecca Hubbard contributed 11 off 17 balls before unfortunately having to retire hurt. Katie Robert’s fighting innings finally came to an end when Turkey captain Kubra Canavarci bowled her out, reducing Guernsey to 81/4 in 15.4 overs. Captain Krista De La Mare scored 10 off 12 balls to keep the chase alive alongside Elise Millington (8 not out off 13 balls), but a third run-out ended De La Mare’s stay on the final over at 109/5.
Turkey’s bowling attack remained exceptionally tight throughout the innings; Ezgi Nur Kilic (1/14 in 4 overs) and Kubra Canavarci (1/15 in 4 overs) spearheaded a economical display. Disciplined overs from Hacer Celik (0/20 in 3), Goksu Ayan (0/16 in 3), Saliha Ozkunduz (0/23 in 3), and Suheda Hancer (0/18 in 3) ensured Guernsey Women were restricted to 109/5 in their 20 overs, sealing a well-earned 17-run win for Turkey Women in this Women’s Continental Cup fixture.
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