Worcestershire Women’s Rapids failed to claim two Vitality T20 Blast wins in succession, as Gloucestershire eased to a seven wicket victory at the Seat Unique Stadium, having chased down Rapids’ total of 101.
Despite another encouraging Bryony Gillgrass performance with the bat, Ed Wilson’s side scraped passed 100-runs to finish on 101-6.
Jess Beach struck in the first over to provide hope for her side, as Amy Maund and Meg Bishop struck in succession to keep the visitor’s dreams alive.
The Rapids ultimately had no answer to a dominant Rebecca Halliday batting display for the homeside however, as she inspired her side to a comfortable seven wicket victory.
Bryony Gillgrass and Elicia Pollard took to the middle under an ominous looking overcast Bristol sky, keen to build on Friday’s victorious trip away to Kent.
The Rapids faced premature hardship however, as Pollard (0) fell at the beginning of just the second over, having been beaten as Charlie Phillips introduced early spin for the hosts.
With Rapids restricted at four an over, Gillgrass hopped on to the front foot, striking two fours before clearing the leg side rope in an over in which 14 runs were added to the visitors’ total.
Worcestershire completed the power play at 33-1 before losing Gillgrass for 30, who was going at a run a ball, being caught at midwicket at the start of the ninth.
Sophia Mitchell now partnered Tweats, as the pair worked themselves into the match to bring up their side’s 50-runs.
Tweats was building steadily, but came undone shortly after, top-edging off Alice Hill, leaving the Gloucestershire wicket-keeper with a routine grab to leave the Rapids 53-3.
Matters then turned worse for Ed Wilson’s side, as a missed Gloucestershire catch caused confusion between Mitchell and the newly-introduced Clare Boycott, resulting in Mitchell being run out for 12.
Now at 63/4, Meg Bishop joined Boycott to stabalise the Rapids innings, however, continued efficiency with the ball from the homeside restricted Worcestershire to a rate of under five.
Bishop (6) was then given her marching orders in the 17th over, having been caught by Emily Geach attempting a scoop over fine leg.
Liv Gough came in at seven to combine with the Rapids captain late on, urging the away side closer to 100.
The sixth wicket stand was broken at the death, with Gough looking to extract as many runs as possible, as Boycott found the rope with the last ball of the innings to push the Rapids over 100, closing on 101/6.
With memories of Friday’s clinical bowling display fresh in the minds, the Rapids would have been hopeful in replicating their feats, with Jess Beach trapping Meg Ahearne (0) LBW, having only faced five deliveries.
Gloucestershire opener Halliday clearly had not read the script however, powering her way to 25 off the following two overs.
One star of Friday’s night Kent success was Amy Maund, who claimed the scalp of Munday (0) whilst on her way to a maiden fourth over, as hope washed over the Rapids once more, pegging their hosts back to 27-2.
Bishop joined the attack the following over, and Worcestershire’s hopes of claiming back-to-back victories continued to grow, with Geach chipping into the grateful hands of Gillgrass compounding Gloucestershire to 28-3.
Despite three of the batting side’s top four going for nought, Halliday continued to see the ball extremely well, ruthlessly mustering her side past the 50-run mark, with a hand from new batter Patel.
Gillgrass and Caitlin Baker-Smith entered the fray in an attempt to disrupt the homeside’s fourth wicket stand.
The pair created opportunities, as Gillgrass couldn’t cling on to a steepling chance at deep mid-wicket, which would have seen the free-scoring Halliday removed.
Gloucestershire’s opener left the away side ruing their missed opportunities, lifting one back over Gillgrass’ head to bring up her 50-runs off 30-balls in the ninth over.
Patel continued to compliment Halliday wonderfully, flicking off her pads through the leg side on numerous occasions to great effect, seeing their side comfortably over the required rate.
The 50-partnership was brought up in the 12th over and despite the Rapids persistence, they failed to find a further breakthrough.
Gloucestershire secured the seven wicket victory in suitable fashion, as Halliday (70*) chipped one last boundary down the ground in the 15th over, as Worcestershire failed to make it back-to-back Blast wins.
