The sun may have set on regional women’s cricket, but the Sunrisers concluded their tenure with a dramatic victory in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final.
The Sunrisers defeated the South East Stars by 27 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method after lightning and heavy rain curtailed the match.
The Sunrisers, who had struggled through three seasons and were winless in 2021 and 2022, achieved a historic win at Leicester. Their captain, Grace Scrivens, described the journey as “a hell of a journey,” reflecting on the team’s perseverance and trust in one another.
The rain halted play at a pivotal moment for the Sunrisers. Following key dismissals by off-spinner Kalea Moore, who took two wickets in quick succession, the Stars were positioned at 121 for three with 92 runs still required.
Sunrisers defeat Southeast Stars by 27 runs in rain-affected final.A well-played half-century from Cordelia Griffith and an unbeaten 39 from Scrivens ensured the Sunrisers were ahead of the DLS par when weather conditions forced an early end to the match.
The Sunrisers’ dressing room erupted in celebration as the umpires announced the result.
The final marked the end of five seasons of regional cricket, which has been discontinued partly due to consistently low attendance. Only 200 spectators were present to witness the conclusion of this era.
In a strategic move, Scrivens opted to bowl first, despite the risk of facing a formidable Stars batting line-up. The decision proved effective as bowlers, led by Kate Coppack with career-best figures of four for 27, reduced the Stars to 21 for three within the initial six overs.
Alice Davidson-Richards, who had been the top scorer in the competition, contributed 93 runs in the final. However, she was dismissed by Mady Villiers just seven runs short of a century, as the Sunrisers bowled out the Stars for 212 in 46.2 overs.
Coppack, who also works as an employment lawyer, played a crucial role in the dismissal of Stars’ key players and the run-out of Bryony Smith. As the Sunrisers prepare to transition to Essex next season, they concluded their regional cricket journey with a memorable victory.