A 40-run DLS defeat at the hands of table toppers Middlesex saw Worcestershire Rapids Women’s Metro Bank One Day Cup season come to a close on Saturday afternoon after missing out on a qualification spot.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the batting card had an all too familiar look to it for the Rapids, with Gwen Davies top score of 69 the only contribution over 40.
Hannah Hardwick counter-attacked with a 44-ball-39, but without any other scores of note, Worcestershire were bowled out for 177.
Qualifying as group winners, Middlesex eased their way to 145-5, before the rain arrived and left Worcestershire on the wrong side of a 40-run DLS defeat.
Clare Boycott was unable to finish her superb season in style as she was dismissed for single figures after a promising opening partnership with Gwen Davies.
From 33-1 the Rapids slipped to 46-3, as Davies continued her measured approach, despite losing Ruby Davis and Bryony Gillgrass in quick succession.
Cameos of 14 and 18 from Pheobe Davies and Liv Gough gave the Rapids brief hope of kicking on to a challenging score, but their wickets were sandwiched either side of the loss of Gwen Davies for a composed 69, as the momentum was wrestled back by the league leaders.
All-rounder Hannah Hardwick entered the fray and produced an encouraging late salvo as she struck four-fours and a six in her 44 ball 39, but her dismissal was followed by the final two wickets without any further runs added to the total, as the Rapids were bowled out for 177.
A 46-run opening stand was ended by Jess Beach (1-31) before Flora Bertwistle, who enjoyed another clinical day with the ball in hand, grabbed the Rapids’ second scalp, as she finished with outstanding figures of 3-41.
Worcestershire’s bowlers continued to battle hard with little room for error in defence of an under-par score and manufactured breakthroughs as Bertwistle picked up her second and Bryony Gillgrass pinched a wicket, to restore some hope at 92-4.
Bertwistle combined nicely with keeper Liv Gough who took an excellent catch stood up to the stumps, but after making their way to 145-5, the heavens opened and with no further play possible, the Rapids feint hopes of qualification to the knockout stages of the competition were officially ended as Middlesex secured a 40-run DLS victory.
After winning four games during the group stage, the result means the Rapids had to settle for a sixth place finish in League Two of the Metro Bank One Day Cup, in a campaign that showed plenty of signs of potential from a young and emerging group.
