Worcestershire Women’s Rapids launched their West Midlands Regional Cup campaign with a 15 run win over Cricket Wales at RGS Worcester in a repeat of last season’s final.
A Rapids side without five regular players had been edged out in the 2022 final but fine performances with the bat by Clare Boycott and Gabby Basketter and spinner Phoebe Brett with the ball enabled to triumph on this occasion.
Boycott captained the side in place of the injured Chloe Hill after Ellie Anderson was pulled out of the fixture, along with England Under-19 team-mate, Charis Pavely by Central Sparks.
The Rapids had seen their entire group programme in the ECB County T20 Cup washed out earlier in the season.
But the rain stayed away as openers Boycott and Basketter featured in a century stand after the Rapids had been put into bat.
Boycott hit eight boundaries in her 74 ball 50 and Basketter scored her maiden fifty for the Rapids after making the move from Cricket Wales.
She also faced 74 deliveries and struck six fours and the opening stand was worth 109 in 24.1 overs.
There were useful contributions from Brynony Gillgrass (19) and, on her senior debut, keeper-batter Ellie Roberts (13).
But 10 wickets fell for 57 runs as the Rapids were bowled out for 166 in 47.5 overs.
Cricket Wales also made a good start and reached 74-1 but then Flora Bertwhistle dismissed Seren Hughes (26) to end a partnership of 68 with Lauren Parfitt (35).
But then spinner Brett got amongst the wickets and finished with superb figures of 10-0-27-4.
She received excellent support from Bertwhistle (10-1-32-1) and Basketter (10-2-20-2) with Amy Maund (5-1-14-1) and Boycott (4.2-1-6-1) also amongst the wickets.
Cricket Wales were eventually dismissed for 151 in 46.2 overs.
