Amelia Kemp struck an unbeaten half century as Northamptonshire Steelbacks Women cruised to a nine-wicket victory over Herefordshire Women and progressed to the next round of the T20 County Cup.

After losing the toss and fielding first, Ella Phillips got the ball rolling with two early wickets as Gemma Marriott’s experiment of opening the bowling with spin at one end, paid dividends with Herefordshire 11/2 after four overs.  

Wickets fell early as Barnett, Swift and Gough all departed for single figure scores, however a fine counter attacking display by Williams kept the away side afloat in the first innings.  

The Steelbacks Women’s bowlers attacked the stumps well and caught impressively with Emily Carpenter, Phillips and Marriott going at under four an over throughout. With Herefordshire 49/4 after twelve overs, it was down to Williams to ensure a defendable target was set and the batter played superbly for an unbeaten 46 off just 35 balls with eight boundaries.  

However, she was not supported as van der Werf was the only other batter to make double digits as wickets fell, with Anisha Patel and Carpenter both catching the eye with two beautiful dismissals late in the innings. Liz Russell and Kemp also took a wicket apiece.  

Some late hitting meant Herefordshire finished 97/6 after their 20 overs, setting the Steelbacks Women batters a gettable but potentially tricky target on a lively pitch.  

It did prove to be difficult for the hosts as captain Marriott departed on the first ball of the innings, caught by Gough off the bowling of the impressive Maund.  

The Herefordshire openers extracted movement out of the pitch and conditions early as they unsettled Ava Clive on her debut for the Club at just seventeen years of age. She was joined by Kemp, though, who soon settled things down and began to build a fruitful partnership.  

Driving expansively and playing all around the ground, Clive and Kemp grew in confidence and moved seamlessly to a 50-run stand just inside the eight over mark.  

Kemp’s half century was reached just before the overall victorious moment, striking eight fours and a six in a brutal knock, excellently supported by Clive who grew in confidence and began to find her feet as victory neared, finishing 37 not out with four boundaries.  

Victory was secured by a Clive single inside thirteen overs as the Steelbacks Women move into the next round of the T20 County Cup and will await the reveal of their opponents.