Middlesex Women ended their Vitality Blast Women’s League 2 campaign with an 11 round win over Sussex Sharks Women and Radlett CC.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Middlesex made a bright start through Scarlett Hughes, whose fluent 22 from just 13 deliveries, including four boundaries, helped the hosts score 33 before she was caught by Bella Johnson.
Sussex scored twice in succession while Artemis Downer struck out five, but captain Saskia Horley and Gaia Gole leveled the innings on 55 balls. Horley led from the front with 38 off 27 balls, hitting four fours and a six before Gole added a composite 15.
Riva Pindoria produced a remarkable unbeaten half-century to guide Middlesex to a competitive result. Pindoria finished unbeaten on 52 from just 28 balls, hitting six fours and a six, while Hannah Davies provided valuable late support with an unbeaten seven from three innings as Middlesex finished on 174/7 after 20 overs.
Eve O’Neill was Sussex’s best attacking player with impressive figures of 4/26, while Chiara Green, Rebecca Denman and Johnson claimed a wicket each.
In response, Sussex got off to a good start with Izzy Collis and Molly Adams sharing a first stand of 88 in nine overs to put the visitors in a strong fight. Adams top-scored with 51 from 31 deliveries, including seven fours and two sixes, before Saskia Horley made the breakthrough, caught by Anaya Patel.
Hannah Davies quickly removed Collis for 33 before Alice Whitmore dismissed Shristi Patil to leave Sussex 93/3. Middlesex continued to apply pressure as Patel played a superb spell in the middle overs, dismissing Green and trapping Johnson lbw before Scarlett Hughes finished off a sharp drive to remove Talitha Stanley. Patel then struck to dismiss Rebecca Denman and reduce Sussex to 140/6.
Despite late resistance from Darcy Clarke and Ava Lee, Middlesex maintained their composure during the final overs, restricting Sussex to 163/7 and sealing an 11-run win.
Patel finished with outstanding figures of 4/31 from her four overs, while Davies, Horley and Whitmore claimed a wicket each.
While the victory was not enough to secure the bonus point win Middlesex needed to keep their finals day hopes alive, it ensured they finished their Vitality Blast Women League 2 campaign on a high, finishing fourth in the standings after an encouraging season.