Jodi Grewcock stars with bat and ball as Sunrisers complete Southern Vipers double

Grewcock, whose half century was pivotal to the first win at the Ageas Bowl back in April, this time starred with bat and ball, scoring 76 before taking 4 for 45 as they won by 28 runs at Chelmsford

Chelmsford: Sunrisers 254, Southern Vipers 226 - Sunrisers win by 28 runs

Jodi Grewcock haunted Southern Vipers for the second time this season as Sunrisers completed a double over the south coast franchise in this season's Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

Grewcock, whose half century was pivotal to the first win at the Ageas Bowl back in April, this time starred with bat and ball, scoring 76 before taking 4 for 45 as they won by 28 runs at Chelmsford.

Emily Windsor threatened to undo Grewcock's good work with 84 in Vipers' run-chase, but Alice Monaghan, who earlier taken three wickets was left stranded on 34 not out as Sunrisers recorded just their second win in this competition.

Both sides were understrength for the contest due to England call-ups and blooded a number of youngsters.

Grewcock and Lissy MacLeod began circumspectly before the former threw off the shackles with three boundaries in one over off Monaghan and a pair of gorgeous cover drives off Elwiss in the next.

MacLeod briefly caught the mood, pummelling successive balls from Monaghan to the fence at mid-on and midwicket respectively, only to be trapped in front by Elwiss with the score on 66.

The wicket didn't stall Sunrisers' progress as Cordelia Griffith scored at close to a run a ball and it came as something of a surprise when the right-hander was stumped for 29 by Rhiana Southby – a first wicket in Vipers colours for spinner Lee.

Skipper Dane Van Niekerk didn't stay long, but Grewcock, dropped on 38, moved to 50, courtesy of a seventh four, and with Mady Villiers, back from England A duty bedding in well the hosts looked set for a big score at 164 for 3.

^{Dane van Niekerk's side beat the 2022 runners-up (Getty Images)}

However, Villiers slog-swept Lee to deep midwicket and the tide of the innings turned. Grewcock's excellent vigil ended when she sent a half-tracker from Nancy Harman straight to midwicket and wickets fell steadily before debutant Amu Surenkumar steered the hosts beyond 250 in company with Kate Coppack.

There was joy for another debutant early in Vipers' reply as Esmae MacGregor castled Ella McCaughan. And the Colchester medium-pacer might have had a second had Amara Carr clung on to an edge from the visitors' own debutant Abigail Norgrove. The reprieve was short-lived as the youngster was soon bowled by Kelly Castle.

Windsor though latched onto anything loose to keep the scoreboard moving and Elwiss proved an excellent foil, forcefully driving one from Grewcock to the mid-off boundary as the 50-partnership came up in 56 balls.

Windsor caressed a sixth four through wide mid-off to reach 50 in 69 balls and another imperious drive was unfurled soon after the drinks break.

Grewcock took a return catch to send Elwiss on her way, so ending a stand of 70 and later removed Freya Kemp, who injured her shoulder while batting, with the help of a catch in the deep, for a breezy 22.

With 91 needed from the final 14 Windsor’s was the wicket Sunrisers wanted and Grewcock obliged here too, yorking her with the first ball of her next over and she wasn't done yet as Southby chipped back the simplest of caught and bowled chances in a double wicket maiden.

Monaghan and Harman threatened/produced another twist, the former hitting successive fours off MacGregor in a stand of 48. However, Coppack returned to have Harman caught and then ran out Taylor with a throw from the deep, before Surenkumar struck with successive balls to seal victory.

This coverage is brought to you in partnership with Smile Group Travel, specialists in women and girls cricket. For more information, visit www.smilegrouptravel.com

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