Following on from our recent look back at the 2025 season, this week we are continuing to flick through the archives as we recap some of the highlights from last year’s Women’s campaign.
With a whole host of iconic and unforgettable moments to choose from, we have whittled down our top five most memorable performances for you to sit back and enjoy.
From Clare Boycott’s maiden Worcestershire Century, to the epic win away at Headingly that kickstarted the season, 2025 was full of incredible moments for the Rapids!
Baker-Smith Shines on Debut:
Having been promoted from the academy, where she impressed for the U15’s, scoring 475 runs with a high-score of 115 not-out against Warwickshire, Caitlin Baker-Smith ensured 2025 was a year to remember.
Stepping up to the U18’s side, she once again made her mark against rivals Warwickshire with a superb 88 in her side’s comprehensive victory, but the biggest moment was yet to come.
At just 15 years of age, the youngster wasted no time in showing her talent on her biggest stage to date, as she burst onto the scene for Worcestershire Rapids Women in July.
Taking a wicket with the very first ball for the club, Caitlin went on to record exceptional figures of 3-7 in an outstanding three over spell on debut against Leicestershire in the Vitality T20 Blast, helping skittle the Foxes for just 55 and seeing her side to a crushing nine-wicket win.
Identified by Head Coach Ed Wilson as a “high potential all-rounder”, this girl has certainly caught the eye during her opening season of Tier 2 cricket, with plenty more to come in 2026!
Boycott Registers Landmark Rapids Ton:
A cornerstone of the Women’s Rapids side since her debut back in 2008, this woman has enjoyed one of her most successful years on record.
Taking over the reigns as captain, the top-order batter epitomises everything it means to play for the Rapids.
Her best form however, came in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, where she scored 396 runs across the tournament, with a career-best score of 112 against Derbyshire during a crushing 170-run victory.
Having navigated her way into the nineties on multiple occasions, the stage was set on August 17th, as the Rapids welcomed Derbyshire Falcons to Wolverhampton CC.
On an unforgettable day, Clare raised the roof when she reached three-figures in just 103 balls, notching her first century for the club having made over 100 appearances.
Finishing on a remarkable 112 from 108 balls, Clare left the field to a rapturous applause having struck 17 boundaries in her stay at the crease, as her Rapids side went onto make a staggering 380-6 in their allotted 50-overs, eventually running out winners by 170-runs.
Rapids Make Fast Start to 2025:
Headingly was the venue for Worcestershire Women’s Rapids opening encounter of the new campaign, as the side newly inducted into Tier 2 made dream start against Yorkshire
After being sent into bat by Yorkshire at the toss, Worcestershire posted a competitive 228 all out in 48.1 overs. A number of solid contributions from the top and middle order laid the foundation, with Clare Boycott (38), Ruby Davis (44), and Bryony Gillgrass (48) all playing key roles. Davis and Gillgrass shared a brisk 50-run stand that helped the Rapids recover from 82 for 3 and accelerate through the middle overs.
Despite a brief mid-innings wobble that saw the side slip to 164 for 5, the lower order kept the scoreboard ticking. Sophie Beech’s composed 36* from 45 balls ensured Worcestershire reached a defendable total.
In reply, Yorkshire’s chase never truly gained momentum. The cohesive Rapids bowlers struck frequently, reducing Yorkshire to 22 for 3 inside six overs. The experienced Stere Kalis offered lone resistance with a fluent 51 from 55 balls, including eight boundaries and a six, but wickets continued to fall around her.
The Rapids’ bowlers hunted as a pack, led by Flora Bertwistle’s brilliant spell of 4 for 32. Phoebe Brett also impressed with 3 for 25, while Jess Beach and Emily Churms each claimed a wicket to round out a superb bowling display.
Yorkshire were eventually dismissed for just 114 in 23.1 overs as the Rapids made a perfect start to the new campaign.
Brilliant Bryony Blows Falcons Away:
It was youngster Bryony Gillgrass who stole the headlines with a magical spell of 5-19 that helped her side pick up a vital win away at Derbyshire back in June, in one of the most eye-catching spells of bowling Rapids fans were treated to all Summer.
After a tricky run that left the Women’s Rapids side sat bottom of the Vitality Blast League Two North table, Clare Boycott’s team travelled to Derbyshire searching for a vital win and a change in fortunes.
Defending a competitive 187-6 from their first innings, it was a tale of two halves for the Worcestershire girls in the field, as the hosts reached 90-0 near the halfway point of their chase.
That soon read 92-2 however, as Gillgrass entered the contest and struck twice in two balls, before a middle order collapse saw the visitors take control of the contest.
Bowling with pace and accuracy, Gillgrass continued her sensational work as she grabbed her side three more vital wickets, including both of the Falcons’ in and set opening batters, as the home side slumped to 133-7 in the 15th over.
It was an X-factor display from the Worcestershire teenage starlet that will live long in the memory, and not to be her only match winning performance of the Summer, as Bryony would go on to show her class throughout 2025.
Rapids Produce Perfect Team Performance as Kent Perish:
They say there is “no I in team” but there is an “I” in “Impeccable”, which nicely summarises the Women’s Rapids display in the commanding 101-run win over Kent back in August.
After being put into bat on a favourable wicket and in idyllic batting conditions, the Rapids posted an imposing 244 all out, thanks to key partnerships and another standout innings from Bryony Gillgrass.
Openers Clare Boycott (43) and Gwen Davies (23) laid a strong foundation with a 56-run stand, weathering early pressure and rotating the strike effectively, before a brief stumble saw the hosts lose three wickets in quick succession,
Unphased, the Rapids regained momentum courtesy of an impressive 79-run partnership between Gillgrass and Ebony-Jade Tweats (41).
Bryony continued to deliver a fluent and authoritative knock, scoring 80 from 78 balls, lacing nine-fours and three-sixes as she anchored her side’s total of 244.
Chasing an imposing target, Kent struggled to find rhythm and lost wickets at regular intervals.
The Rapids bowlers showed a relentless, cutthroat edge throughout the day, with Hannah Hardwick and Amy Wheeler leading the attack in superb fashion.
Hannah recorded exceptional figures of 3 for 22 in 7 overs, in tandem with Wheeler (2-31 in 7 overs) as Caitlin Baker-Smith joined the action by helping herself to another three-wicket haul.
There were also encouraging returns for Jess Beach and Flora Bertwistle, both making successful comebacks from injury by claiming a wicket apiece as the Rapids closed in.
Eventually dismissed for 143, Kent succumbed to the Worcestershire pressure as Ed Wilson’s side wrapped up commanding win in a near perfect team performance.
With 2026 set to produce plenty more memorable moments along the way, be sure to claim your season Membership below and take your place at New Road for another action-packed Summer!
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