Half-centurion Villiers pitches in with wickets

AN EXCELLENT all-round performance from Mady Villiers led Durham to a three-wicket win in their Metro Bank One Day Cup women's clash with Warwickshire.

- By THOMAS RIDLEY, ECB REPORTERS NETWORK SUPPORTED BY ROTHESAY

Durham's bowlers restricted Warwickshire throughout their innings with regular wickets from the likes of Sophia Turner and Villiers, but a late flurry of runs from Charis Pavely helped them to a competitive total of 243 for nine.

Durham's reply got off to a great start, with the brilliant Suzie Bates combining well with skipper Hollie Armitage for a partnership worth 105. Some quick wickets for Warwickshire unsettled Durham, but Villiers' maiden List A fifty for Durham secured her side a first win since the opening day.

Warwickshire won the toss and elected to bat at Banks Homes Riverside, but the visitors were living off scraps in the early stages of the powerplay.

The pressure told as the hosts got the breakthrough when Abbey Freeborn edged a Grace Thompson delivery behind to Bess Heath to depart for five. Durham struck again shortly after through the same combination as Sterre Kalis was caught behind for eight.

Davina Perrin relieved some of the early pressure for Warwickshire as she carved back-to-back Sophia Turner deliveries to the boundary, but Villiers made sure she didn't inflict any more damage as she took an excellent return catch to dismiss the dangerous Perrin for 32.