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Emily Windsor, Tara Norris lead Southern Vipers to second RHF Trophy title

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Women's CricZone Staff
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Emily Windsor, Tara Norris lead Southern Vipers to second RHF Trophy title

Emily Windsor, Georgia Adams, Tara Norris. © Getty Images

Emily Windsor and allround Tara Norris help Southern Vipers defend the Rachael Hey-Hoe Flint Trophy title with a three-wicket win against Northern Diamonds in the final on Saturday (September 25).

Defending a sub-par total against defending champions, Beth Langston provided early breakthroughs for the Diamonds. She sent both the Vipers openers, Georgia Adams and Ella McCaughan, back to the pavilion in her first three overs. Vipers were down to six for two. 

Maia Bouchier, who was released from the England squad, and Georgia Elwiss tried to build a partnership. They put up a 41-run stand for the third wicket. Phoebe Grahan broke the partnership by dismissing Elwiss for a 21-ball 14. Bouchier fell shortly after for 33 runs, with Gaby Lewis and Emily Windsor trying to keep the chase alive.

Jenny Gunn struck thrice, removing Lewis for 24 runs, and followed it with the wicket of Paige Scholfield and Carla Rudd in the same over. Vipers slumped to 109 for seven. The onus was on Tara Norris and Windsor to defend the title.

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With no scoreboard pressure, they took some time to settle in. They hung in there, taking the chase deep. They remained not out till the end, finishing the chase in the final over of the innings. Windsor scored 47 runs from 97 balls, while Norris made a 44-ball 40.

After opting to bat first, Diamonds openers Holly Armitage and Linsey Smith started well. Together, they added 35 runs for the first wicket before Armitage got out for 16 runs from 32 balls. With Sterre Kalis, Smith tried to build a partnership, but the latter was dismissed by Adams for a 65-ball 31.

Kalis and Leah Dobson got out in quick succession, leaving the Diamonds at 74 for four. Ami Campbell and Bess Heath revived the innings, adding 39 runs. Heath scored 25 runs from 34 balls, but Campbell kept the innings going for the Diamonds. She finished with 60 runs from 73 balls before getting out to Elwiss. 

Adams ran through the rest of the Diamonds lower order, taking four wickets for 35 runs in her four overs. They were all out for 183 runs in 49.2 overs. 

Brief Scores:

Northern Diamonds 183/10 in 49.2 overs (Ami Campbell 60; Georgia Adams 4/35) lost to Southern Vipers  187/7 in 49.4 overs (Emily Windsor 47; Jenny Gunn 3/31) by three wickets.
Southern Vipers Emily Windsor Tara Norris RHF Trophy Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy, 2021
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