THE Women’s T20 Premier League kicked off on Tuesday night with SOS Warriors claiming a 25-run win over Farmers Fire, despite a batting masterclass from Analise Merritt.
The Warriors, skippered by Jersey captain Chloe Greechan, posted a mammoth 194 for 3 from their 20 overs, dominated by their opening pair of Aimee Aikenhead and Grace Wetherall.
Fans of the women’s national side will be familiar with these names and they lived up to their reputation in the league opener.
Facing a strong Farmers bowling attack featuring fellow Jersey stars Analise Merritt, Olivia Bastin and Erin Gouge, Aikenhead and Wetherall looked in imperious touch.
The pair combined superbly for an opening partnership of 151 – both players passing their half century marks.
Wetherall (right) was first to fall LBW by spinner Erin Gouge for 59 from just 30 balls, which included 10 fours and 2 sixes.
Aikenhead would fall also just six runs later for a brilliant 71 from 46 balls, which featured 9 fours and 2 sixes.
Amelie Hern added 16 before chipping a catch to Maggie Gomersall off Merritt’s pace.
Captain Greechan also added an unbeaten 16 at the end to push the score up over 190.
Gouge picked up 2 for 44 from her four overs, but Merritt wa the most economical with 1 for 29 from her 4 over set.
Facing a daunting chase, Merritt shouldered the responsibility.
Despite an impressive and economically tight spell from Greechan, Merritt took no prisoners, taking a particular fancy to the pace of Grace Wetherall.
She dominated the scoring throughout the innings to finish on a memorable 115 not out from 73 balls, including 17 fours and 2 sixes.
Both Gouge and Annie Mossop would fall for single digit scores, but Mia Maguire would prove a valuable partner for Merritt.
Maguire finished unbeaten with a run-a-ball 29, but the total proved just too far out of reach, despite Merritt’s brilliance.
As well as Greechan, both Olive Smith and left-armer Daisy Fisher impressed with 1 for 20 and 1 for 21 respectively in keeping the run rate in check.
It’s not too often you see an unbeaten century in the losing side of a T20 fixture – this game proving a bench mark for the talent on display in the domestic women’s game.
The Warriors take top spot after the opening game, and the Fire will face off with Walkovers Invincibles for their opening game at FB Fields 3 on Sunday 19 July, set for a 1pm start.
To access the full scorecards, click the link; https://jerseycricketcomps.play-cricket.com/website/results/7680457
SOS Warriors: Chloe Greechan (c), Aimee Aikenhead, Grace Wetherall, Amelie Hern, Olive Smith, Daisy Fisher, Sophie Firth, Quinn Gomersall, Hannah Rigby, Olivia Perchard
Farmers Fire: Analise Merritt (c), Erin Gouge, Annie Mossop, Mia Maguire, Eleanor Vandermerwe-Mahon, Beth Silva, Olivia Bastin, Jemma Wery, Maggie Gomersall, Niamh Church
