Yorkshire women bounced back from a morning defeat at Moorlands Cricket Club on Sunday to secure an afternoon victory over Nottinghamshire and ensure a healthy start to their Vitality County T20 campaign.
The county suffered a 49-run loss to Derbyshire, who amassed 183-2 and then defended it comfortably at the Mirfield venue.
But that disappointment was quickly overcome as a slick bowling performance and a half-century for Hollie Armitage put paid to Notts, by seven wickets.
Beth Langston, Rachel Slater, Grace Hall and Emma Marlow all claimed two wickets apiece as Notts were restricted to 114-9 having elected to bat in the afternoon game, no player bettering captain Lucy Higham’s 25.
Northern Diamonds Academy star Hall finished with the pick of the figures – 2-9 from her three overs.
Armitage, close to her Huddersfield roots, then led a routine chase with 54 off 41 balls, including eight fours.
She was supported by Phoebe Turner’s unbeaten 25, and even the departure of Armitage, the Diamonds senior captain, with 24 still needed could not derail Yorkshire’s chase, which was completed with 14 balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, Derbyshire rode to victory on the back of half-centuries for opener Beth Harmer and Scotland international Kathryn Bryce, the latter who was named as the ICC’s Associate cricketer of the decade in late 2020.
Harmer led the way with a blistering 70 off 35 balls, including four sixes, while Bryce provided the support act with an unbeaten 53 off 46 to ensure that 183-2 total.
In reply, Armitage opened and top-scored for the first time on the day with 37. And while Beth Langston almost matched her with 34, the task was just too steep for Yorkshire, who finished on 134-5.
The home chase was the subject of a lengthy delay during its latter stages due to an injury sustained by a Derbyshire fielder.
Yorkshire now sit second with three wins from four games and 12 points, four behind group leaders Lancashire.
The pair meet in the second game of Monday’s double header at Weetwood (3pm). The day starts with Yorkshire facing the Northern Representative XI at the same venue (11am).
They are the final group games of the competition, with the top four teams all qualifying for Finals Day on May 8.
Yorkshire are very well placed to achieve that.
