Successful start for Storm

Western Storm came out on top by two wickets against Central Sparks in a pre-season 50-over match at Newport CC today.

Storm skipper, Sophie Luff won the toss and elected to field.

In the opening ten powerplay overs, the Storm bowlers restricted their opponents to 43 for two. The visitors eventually brought up their 50 in the 14th over.

Milly Home was looking in good form, but when she was trapped lbw by Fi Morris in the 25th over for 45 the Sparks were 84 for four.

A 51-run fifth wicket partnership between Ria Fackrell (26) and Poppy Davies (28) took the Sparks to 135 before the former fell to a sharp stumping by Nat Wraith.

The Storm bowlers continued to turn the screw and limited their opponents to a total of 199 all out from their 50 overs.

Danielle Gibson was the pick of the attack, claiming three for 29 from five overs. There was also two wickets for Morris.

In reply, Western Storm slipped to 48 for four, but Luff (87*) and Gibson (39 from 29 balls) pushed their side towards the victory target.

Although wickets continued to fall, Luff shared a 66-run ninth wicket stand with Molly Robbins and hit the opening ball of the 48th over from Grace Potts to the boundary rope to see her side over the line with 17 balls to spare.