Sophia Smale had rivals Sunrisers all in a spin as she played a starring role for the Western Storm as they secured a 28-run victory in their Charlotte Edwards Cup encounter at the Cooper Associates Ground in Taunton.
The England Under-19 spinner claimed three wickets in a devastating eight-ball, as well as claiming two catches to tip the scales in the Storm’s favour.
On-loan seamer Ellie Anderson finished with impressive figures of 4-9 from 2.4 overs, while England international took 3-19 as the Sunrisers, chasing a target of 135, were eventually bowled out for 106 in 17.4 overs.
Having earlier lost the toss, Storm were indebted to their skipper Sophie Luff, who top-scored with 41. She came in at four to help steady a home innings which had seen Natasha Wraith, Emma Corney and Fran Wilson all depart for low scores.
Luff, however, was in fine touch and along with Amanda-Jane Wellington (20), they shared in a progressive fourth-wicket partnership of 43.
For the Sunrisers, Eva Grey, Sophie Munro and Mady Villiers all took two wickets each as the Storm posted a final total of 134-8 in their 20 overs.
Although it seemed a low total on a decent batting track, it proved enough for the Storm to secure their first win in five games.
Lauren Filer struck a crucial early blow, removing Sunrisers skipper Grace Scrivens in the very first over – and fellow opener Jo Gardner followed her back to the sidelines not long after, driving Anderson to mid-on with the score on nine.
Cordelia Griffth carried the fight to the hosts, helping herself to four successive boundaries off Izzy Wong, but it was all in vain as Smale’s deadly spell reduced the Sunrisers to 59-6 at the halfway point.
Florence Miller and Amara Carr continued to stage some form of resistance for the visitors adding 35 in six overs, but with an ever-increasing run rate, the hosts mopped up the tail through the bowling of Anderson, who claimed three weeks in seven balls.
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