Plympton take eventual winners down to last over in nail-biting semi-final at Kia Oval

Emily Edgcombe, who top scored for Plympton at the Kia Oval against Hursley Park in the semi-final of the Summer Smash T10 competition

PLYMPTON Ladies gave it their best shot at the Kia Oval in the Summer Smash T10 competition but were unable to make it past the semi-final stage.

Friday’s finals day at the home of Surrey CCC marked the climax of the first year of the Kia Summer Smash – a ground-breaking T10 women’s club tournament run by The Cricketer that involved festivals held across four regions during the summer. 

To reach the final Plympton defeated Bath, Huntley and Cornwood in the West regional festival at Millfield School. The prize was the chance to compete against three other strong teams at the Kia Oval.

The other qualifiers were Berkswell (Warwickshire), Sessay (Thirsk) and Hampshire team Hursley Park , the side Plympton met in the morning semi-final.

It was Plympton’s task to be the first side to judge a good total on a fast Kia Oval outfield with short, straight boundaries. 

The bedrock of their innings was a second-wicket partnership of 60 between Imogen Beasley (29) and Emily Edgcombe (38no).

Edgcombe was strong through the off side and Beasley targeted the long-on boundary as she struck two sixes in one over from Abby Evans. Plympton ended up on 83 for two from their 10 overs.

Evans was soon exacting her revenge against the Plympton bowlers with some crisp ball-striking as she and Emily Windsor sprinted along at 10 an over.

The drop of Evans, on 28, at cow corner just when Hursley Park had reached 50 proved pivotal.

Windsor innovated nicely with dabs behind square as in an opening partnership of 69 in 7.1 overs. Evans holed out at long-on for 30 but Windsor (39no) finished the job with three balls to spare and nine wickets in hand.

Berkswell, the Midlands champions, lost by 31 runs to Sessay in the second semi-final.

Hursley Park went on to win the final where they chased Sessay’s 82 for six to win with four wickets down and two balls remaining. Windsor hit 42 not out.