South East Stars got off to a winning start this weekend, defeating the Southern Vipers by nine runs in their first ever match – a fifty over friendly at Hove.
Big contributions from Surrey pair Aylish Cranstone (53) and sixteen-year-old Alice Capsey (49), who put on a century partnership, set the foundations for the Stars to post an imposing 252 all out – with captain Tash Farrant using the platform to blast a late 31 from 21 balls.
The Vipers got off to a confident start but Surrey Women’s captain Hannah Jones pegged them back with some tidy off spin bowling, taking a wicket in her first over as Georgia Adams was stumped by her county colleague Rhianna Southby.
The home side continued to chase diligently, with both Paige Scholfield and Charlie Dean making half centuries, before eventually requiring 70 from the final ten overs. Dean was accounted for by Grace Gibbs – caught by Eva Gray – before Chloe Brewer had Scholfield caught by Maxine Blythin.
Two more wickets fell to Eva Gray, with the Vipers needing fifteen runs from the final over. They only managed six, handing the Stars their maiden victory by nine runs.
Competitive action – in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy – will start on Saturday (August 29th), when the Stars take on the Western Storm at Beckenham in a fifty over match. The match starts at 11am, but fans are still not permitted to attend the game due to government advice around limiting the spread of Covid-19. The game will be live streamed, via the South East Stars social media channels.
