Southern Vipers beaten in defence of Charlotte Edwards Cup title

SOUTHERN Vipers captain Georgia Adams lamented failing to "nail the basics" as her side could not defend their Charlotte Edwards Cup crown.

South East Stars held their nerve to win the chance to take on The Blaze in the tournament's final, beating holders Vipers by five runs in a gripping semi-final that went down to the last over.

Although seven wickets down, Vipers fancied that their experience would carry them through after needing 21 from the last three overs.

However, two fine overs from Tilly Corteen-Coleman and Ryana MacDonald-Gay left them with a requirement of 10 off the final over, the key moment coming when Charlie Dean (43 from 29 balls) was run out off Tash Farrant’s second ball of that over.

Sophia Dunkley (49 off 34) and Georgia Redmayne (39 off 38) had earlier shared a second-wicket stand of 74 to give the Stars a strong platform after losing skipper Bryony Smith earlier before Paige Scholfield cracked an unbeaten 34 off 22 balls to post 162 for five.

Danni Wyatt struck 34 from 17 to get Vipers off to a flying start in reply but Corteen-Coleman (two for 23), Dani Gregory (two for 25) in particular bowled superbly to give Stars the edge.

Stars went on to be beaten by The Blaze, previously known as Loughborough Lightning, in Saturday's final at the County Ground in Derby.

Speaking after the match, Vipers skipper Adams said: "We let them get a few too many runs.

Southern Vipers’ Rhianna Southby is run out by South East Stars during the Charlotte Edwards Cup semi-final (Image: PA)

"We didn’t quite nail the basics in the field, with a bit of sloppy fielding at the end and if I’m being critical we could have been tighter with the ball at times.

“But we still were quite confident we could chase it down. We felt their score was about par on a good wicket and with the players we have it we felt we could make that score.

“But we lost wickets at key moments and in clusters and we couldn’t quite string a big partnership together. Danni and Charli Knott got a little partnership going and we were actually up with the rate all the way through but we just kept losing wickets.

“After Freya Kemp and myself went it was probably too much for the lower order but credit to Charlie Dean at the end for taking us close. To see her thrive and blossom into a proper all-rounder is really rewarding to see.”

Stars ace Redmayne, who made 39 and pulled off two stumpings, said: “It’s really exciting to beat such a good team to make it through to the final - and beat a really good team to achieve it.

“We knew we were going to be up against it against a team of Vipers’ quality after they put up a really good performance against us just a few days ago so we’re proud of the girls after what was an awesome team effort today.

“They batted really well up top and set the tone. We thought 160 would be a good target on this wicket and the way Sophia Dunkley and Paige Scholfield was amazing to watch.”