Steelbacks Women put in a commanding performance to secure a seven-wicket victory against the Derbyshire Falcons.
In the final Metro Bank One Day Cup Women’s League 2 group game David Ripley’s side were able to build momentum ahead of next week’s semi-final.
Gemma Marriott and captain Anisha Patel were both able to get three wickets each which led to the Falcons being bowled out for 169.
Partnerships between Amelia Kemp and Chloe Hill as well as May Drinkell and Gemma Marriott meant that it was a comfortable chase for the Steelbacks.
Earlier rain in Belper meant that the match was reduced to 46 overs per side and started an hour later than scheduled.
In the 6th over, Mabel Reid took a stunning one-handed catch off her own bowling to dismiss Emily Hughes for one.
Lucy Shaw and Frances Lonsdale were able to build a strong partnership for the Falcons until Marriott picked up the wicket of Shaw just after she reached her half-century.
Lauren Kenvyn came and went and then Ella Phillips’ wicket of Matilda Atherton-Gater opened the floodgates for the Steelbacks.
Olivia Kibler was then run out for two before Ria Fackrell got in on the action as she trapped Adrianna Darlow in front which left the Falcons 144 for six.
With seven overs left in the shortened innings, the captain Anisha Patel provided the huge wicket of Lonsdale for 60, LBW, after an attempted sweep and then picked up two in two balls an over later.
It was Rhiannon Knowling-Davies that was dismissed for the final wicket as she found the hands of Phillips which meant the Steelbacks set themselves a chase of 170.
Kemp and Hill got Ripley’s side off to a stunning start as they brought up their 50 partnership in only the seventh over.
In an innings which included four fours from one over, Kemp fell just short of her half-century ending caught and bowled with 46 off 38 balls.
Hill and Beth Ascott were both dismissed, which left Drinkell and Marriott at the crease with the Steelbacks still in a commanding position.
They formed an 88-run unbeaten partnership and Marriott was able to achieve her fifty to secure the victory.
It was a strong performance with bat and ball ahead of the Metro Bank One Day Cup Women’s League 2 semi-finals next weekend.