Devon Women secured their first Vitality Blast Women's League Three wins of the season in a double-header at Thame Town CC on Sunday.
Game 1
Having won the toss and elected to field, Devon's attack made early inroads. Ellie Bishop (4-19) removed Sophie Mitchelmore, Emilia Bartram and Genny Porter inside the opening three overs, debutant loanee Melissa Story taking a spectacular diving catch for the wicket of Porter, reducing Oxfordshire to 11/4. The home side recovered through a 53-run fifth-wicket stand between Charlotte Oxton (30) and Ellie Ingram (26), but Abbie Lockett (2-19) and Katie Donovan (2-8) ensured regular wickets once the partnership fell in the 11th over, leaving the hosts on 100/9 at the end of the innings.
Devon's reply was measured and effective. Step Hutchins (8) and Jemima Vereker (27) added 27 for the first wicket before the skipper fell to Katie Fidler. Vereker continued positively, striking two sixes, but was dismissed for 27 by Mitchelmore. When Story fell for a single run, Devon were 48/3 with 11 overs to go. However, Bishop (37*) and Regina Lilii (21*) steadied the innings with an unbroken 55-run partnership, guiding Devon to 103/3 with 2.3 overs to spare.
Scorecard
Oxfordshire 100/9 (C Oxton 30, E Ingram 26; E Bishop 4-19, K Donovan 2-8, A Lockett 2-19)
Devon Women 103/3 (E Bishop 37*, J Vereker 27; S Mitchelmore 1-9, K Waugh 1-16, K Fidler 1-28)
Devon Women beat Oxfordshire by 7 wickets.
Game 2
Having lost the toss and been made to field, Devon's bowlers found little joy in Game 2. Mitchelmore (58*) anchored the Oxfordshire innings with a composed half-century, sharing an opening stand of 55 with Bartram (26) before adding 77 with Porter (41). Only Lockett (1-16) and Esther Woolley (1-14) took wickets as the hosts reached 138/2 from their 20 overs.
Despite the more challenging target, Devon's response was emphatic. Jemima Vereker fell cheaply for 1, but that brought Bishop to the crease. She proceeded to dismantle the Oxfordshire attack, making an unbeaten 83 from 63 deliveries and striking nine boundaries. Opener Hutchins (39) provided solid support in a 105-run second-wicket stand, but eventually fell to Chloe Westley (3-26) alongside Story, but Bishop remained unflustered. Regina Lilii (5*) helped see Devon home to 141/3 in 18.4 overs.
Scorecard
Oxfordshire 138/2 (S Mitchelmore 58*, G Porter 41; E Woolley 1-14, A Lockett 1-16)
Devon Women 141/3 (E Bishop 83*, S Hutchins 39; C Westbury 3-26)
Devon Women beat Oxfordshire by 7 wickets.
Lauren Rowles's Post-Match Thoughts
"I'm thrilled with our weekend results, winning both T20s against Oxfordshire! A special mention to Ellie Bishop, who had a day to remember, scoring 120 runs across the two games.
"The whole squad were outstanding throughout the day, showing great energy and teamwork from start to finish.
"I'm excited for the next round of T20s, and hoping these two wins give the girls real confidence and belief ahead of our next round against Wiltshire!"
Ellie Bishop's Post-Match Thoughts
"It's a fantastic feeling to get our first two wins of the season. It was a great team effort with everyone playing their part, and I'm personally really happy to have been able to contribute to the team's success.
"Hopefully, we can use these wins to help build momentum for the upcoming games."
Up Next
Devon Women are back at The Holt for their final Vitality Blast Women's League Three T20 double-headers on Sunday, 24 May, when they face top-of-the-league Wiltshire chasing a place in the final.
