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South East Stars crowned champions in inaugural edition of Charlotte Edwards Cup

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Women's CricZone Staff
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South East Stars crowned champions in inaugural edition of Charlotte Edwards Cup

South East Stars © Getty Images

The 17-year-old Alice Capsey stole headlines as her belligerent 26-ball 40 helped South East Stars triumph in the final of the Charlotte Edwards Cup against Northern Diamonds - who came into the match on the back of an 18-run victory against Southern Vipers in the semi-final - on Sunday (September 5).

Opting to bat first in the final, Diamonds openers Leah Dobson and Bess Heath got them off to a steady start before the former was dismissed by Alison Davidson-Richards for 11 runs. The star from the semi-final, Lauren Winfield-Hill, got out for a three-ball duck shortly after.

Their skipper, Holli Armitage, however, joined with Sterre Kalis and tried to revive the innings. Together, they added 43 runs for the fourth wicket. Though Kalis got out for a 19-ball 18, Jenny Gunn and Armitage remained not out till the end, taking the team to 138 for four in 20 overs. Armitage finished with an unbeaten 59 from 28 balls.

Chasing close to seven runs per over, Bryony Smith and Aylish Cranstone set the platform for the Stars to capitalise. They put up a 71-runs for the first wicket before Cranstone got out hit wicket for a 27-ball 35. With Smith, Grace Gibbs and Phoebe Franklin getting out in quick succession, Diamonds smelled a chance to come back in the game. 

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However, Capsey, along with Davidson-Richards, averted a collapse. The 17-year-old launched a counterattack, smashing 40 runs from just 26 balls and remained not out till the end, taking the team across the line with two overs to spare. 

Earlier, Diamonds had lost the openers cheaply after electing to bat first in the semi-final against the Vipers. Winfield-Hill and Armitage struck a partnership, taking them from 16 for two to 75 for three. 

The skipper made a 22-ball 25, while Winfield-Hill kept the innings going at the other end. She eventually got out to Georgia Adams for 65 runs from 49 balls. The Diamonds scored 135 for six in 20 overs.

Adams and Ella McCaughan added 29 runs from the first wicket for the Vipers before getting out one after the other. Linsey Smith and Alex MacDonald got a wicket each, and they were down to 59 for four.

Despite the fighting 32 from Emily Windsor, the Vipers were eventually all out for 117. Jenny Gunn was the pick of the bowler, taking four wickets for 26 runs.

Brief Scores:

Final: 

Northern Diamonds 138/4 in 20 overs (Hollie Armitage 59; Grace Gibbs 1/13) lost to South East Stars 139/5 in 18 overs (Alice Capsey40; Katie Levick 2/19) by five wickets. POTM: Alice Capsey

Semi-final: 

Northern Diamonds 135/6 in 20 overs (Lauren Winfield-Hill 65; Lauren Bell 1/15) beat Southern Vipers 117/10 in 20 overs (Emily Windsor 32; Jenny Gunn 4/26) by 18 runs.
Jenny Gunn Southern Vipers Northern Diamonds Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 CE Cup Alcie Capsey
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