Vipers bear the Brunt

posted by John Winn

Before yesterday Yorkshire Diamonds' 2018 campaign had to say the least of it lacked sparkle, just one point from four games and that courtesy of a washout but hope springs if not eternal at least for an afternoon and Liz and I joined a decent crowd at Clifton Park in the hope that Southern Vipers would provide a first win.

We were joined by good company from Huddersfield on what was close to a perfect summer's day. Diamond won the toss and elected to bat and Lauren Winfield and Beth Mooney got things off to a flying start before the latter was lbw for 13. The run rate remained at close to ten an over while Whinfield and Chamari  Atapattu, seemingly no less competitive than a year ago,  took the score past a hundred but once the former was out the rate slowed and even though one of our number forecast 200 for a final score the more cautious of us settled for various numbers between 170 and 180. 175 for 5 suggested we were about right and just about defendable summed up the mood of our party. Winfield top scored with 64 and Katherine Brunt added useful runs at the end.

When Vipers began their reply Brunt struck almost immediately to remove Danni Wyatt and most of Diamonds' bowlers managed an economy rate below that required. Leaving aside a couple of minor blemishes the fielding was of a high standard and some excellent catches were taken. When Arran Brindle was bowled by Atapattu to make it 140 for 6 , the rate had risen to almost 12 and despite conceding 19 wides by the time Brunt returned to bowl the final over a Diamonds' win seemed very likely. Two wickets in two balls, both lbw, set up the prospect of a most unusual hat trick, and although it was not to be no more runs were forthcoming and Vipers fell twelve short to send them to the bottom of the league and push the Diamonds to within touching distance of Surrey Stars. Woman of the match was Kathrine Brunt with 5 for 26 and 21 not out. Diamonds are next in action on Sunday at Scarborough when high flying Western Storm blow into town. Nearer to home, for me at least, Diamonds face Surrey Stars at Clifton Park on Sunday August 12th. Wickets pitched 2:30 in both of these games.

Finally the more observant of our readers may have noticed a fixture added by me to Tony's list for this Sunday, namely Richmondshire v Ormskirk in the National Club KO. I have now removed this fixture for Ormskirk are otherwise engaged in a competition held over from last Sunday. No new date as yet for the match at Richmond.