Women Triumph on T20 Finals Day

Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s Women marked their maiden appearance at Uptonsteel County Ground in style, emerging as champions of their Vitality Women’s County T20 Finals Day group.

Stephen Franklin’s side chased down a target of 101 with seven balls to spare to defeat Northamptonshire’s Women by seven wickets in the final.

The chase was orchestrated by Grace Ballinger, who led from the front with both bat and ball in a match-winning all-round performance. Opening the bowling, the 20-year-old took three wickets for 14 runs from her four overs, before an unbeaten 50 steered the team to the victory target.

The day culminated a four-team group, which saw a preliminary round-robin schedule seed the sides ahead of Sunday’s Finals Day, with Northants topping the group stage, while Leicestershire finished third.

LCCC’s Womens’ triumph followed a five-wicket semi-final success over Oxfordshire earlier in the afternoon, with Lucy Weston and Hannah Francis taking three wickets each, before an unbroken 32 from wicketkeeper Sophie Bennett guided the team home.

Victory set up the showpiece contest with Northants, who put in a dominant performance in the day’s opening semi-final, beating Lincolnshire by nine wickets inside nine overs after skittling Lincs out for 51.

The Running Foxes entered the decider as underdogs, having seen Northants canter the initial group stage with six wins from six games ahead of Finals Day.

Ballinger got Leicestershire off to the perfect start, bowling Rachael Potter with the game’s first delivery, as part of a wicket maiden.

Vice-captain Una Paramjothy backed up the strong start with a maiden of her own, before Ballinger bowled Bethan Solomon in her next over to leave Northants one for two.

Aimee Colquhoun picked up two further wickets, while Francis took one, before Ballinger claimed her third of the innings to restrict Northants to 100-7 from their allocation.

The opening bowler took such form into opening with the bat, anchoring the chase with an imperious 50 not out, while Bennett (18) and Weston (12) provided ample support at the other end, as the Running Foxes cruised to a seven-wicket win during the penultimate over.

Speaking after the team’s triumph, Head Coach Stephen Franklin said: “I’m incredibly proud of the ladies. Not only to finally have the opportunity to play at Grace Road, but to rise to the occasion and win the final was inspiring.

“We are truly grateful for everyone at the Club who gave their time and effort to help facilitate the day, especially our Community team, and to everyone who came down to offer their fantastic support.

“It was a very special occasion for all, and I am sure it will be the first of many matches Leicestershire Women will get to play at Uptonsteel County Ground.”