Local rivals Blaze earn back to back wins over Bears

THE Blaze completed back-to-back wins by defeating Midland rivals Warwickshire by 41 runs in the Metro Bank Women’s One Day Cup competition at Edgbaston.

- By ECB REPORTERS NETWORK

Their victory was rooted in an impressive collective effort with no big individual performance with the bat but many important contributions.

Put in, Blaze cobbled their way to 252 for nine from 50 overs. Only Sarah Bryce (52, 56 balls) passed 50 but there were five other contributions over 20, including extras as Warwickshire’s bowlers delivered 15 wides, taking their tally in three games this season to 52. Em Arlott took three for 39 and executed a direct-hit run-out.

Bears Women’s reply started strongly as Davina Perrin struck a fluent 53 (49) but from 123 for one they lost momentum and fell short at 211 all out as Kathryn Bryce took five for 38 and Grace Ballinger two for 29.

“We would have liked to have got a few more runs on the board,” said Perrin. “Personally, I got a good start and it's important in those moments that you kick on. It was probably a bit more of a soft dismissal than I would have hoped but I plan next time to take more ownership of the innings and really propel the team forward.

“We had some great cameos with the bat. We've shown glimpses of what we're capable of, we've just got to take those glimpses and make them into something bigger.