Alison Mitchell reports from the showpiece of the English women's season
Thursday, September 13, 2001

Milton Keynes, September 9
Wakefield WCC (133 for 9) beat Brighton and Hove LCC (125 all out) by 8 runs

Kathryn Leng secured her place in England's winter training squad by scoring a half-century and helping Wakefield WCC win the ECB Women's Knockout Cup Final at a bright but blustery Campbell Park. After winning the toss and deciding to field, Brighton seemed to have made the right choice as they restricted Wakefield to just 133 off 40 overs. The majority of the runs came from Leng (52) and captain Bev Nicholson (22). Both pulled aggressively early on and put on 61 for the second wicket, after opener Alison Elder was run out in the first over of the day. England vice-captain Clare Taylor had made 26 when her England teammate and captain Clare Connor nipped one through the gate. The remainder of the Wakefield side failed to reach double figures. Poor calling and an attempted single off a misfield at cover accounted for two farcical run-outs lower down the order, but by then tighter bowling had already stemmed the Wakefield run-rate. Brighton lost crucial early wickets in reply, and were in trouble at 17 for 3. Connor, opening the batting, was involved in two top-order run-outs - Kate Oakenfold reacted slowly to her call for a quick single, and then Sam Keyes had to be sent back after Connor had pushed one into the off side. Neither had added to the score. With the exception of Connor the top order did not perform, although New Zealand World Cup winner Heidee Tiffen was unlucky to be given out lbw to Taylor for 3 when she was well forward. Connor went on to make a measured 40, with some lofty drives to the long-off and long-on boundaries demonstrating her ability to punish a bad ball with fervour. It was Leng who eventually had her caught behind by wicketkeeper Linda Burnley. Despite 22 from Charlotte Burton and an exciting seventh-wicket partnership of 28 between Frances Block and Caroline Atkins, batting down at No. 8, Brighton's target became increasingly steep. Atkins was stumped in the 37th over off the bowling of Janet Tedstone, Block went the same way soon after, and the final wicket fell to shouts of delight in the 39th over, with Brighton and Hove agonisingly short. Consistent bowling from Taylor helped Wakefield defend their smallish total. In 10 overs she conceded just 12 runs, taking one wicket along the way. "When we set out we were looking for 150," said victorious captain Nicholson. "But we knew if we really bowled tightly we could defend 133".

Much to the dismay of loyal supporters, a fire alarm in the pavilion shortly after the end of the game meant that the bar had to be evacuated. But spirits weren't dampened and the celebrations continued outside and no doubt for a fair while after.