The army overcame a rejuvenated Royal Air Force outfit to retain their title. Chasing 153 to win, the soldiers were being expertly guided by skipper Capt Connie Cant (RA) until she was run out for 67 – with seven runs still required from seven balls.
LCpl Shema Quashie (REME) suffered the same fate from the next delivery, but tailenders SSgt Emily Wall (R Signals) and Cpl Abbie Sullivan (RAMS) held their nerve, with the latter finding the boundary to seal victory with two balls to spare.
The RAF were indebted to a superb performance from newcomer Plt Off Ellie Stanley in posting such a challenging total as the opener smashed 12 fours on her way to an unbeaten 96.
The army’s bowlers kept the rest of the order in check, with Quashie (pictured right) and 2Lt Gabie Clark (RY) claiming two wickets apiece, while two run outs also helped the cause.
Cant, alongside twin sister LCpl Georgie Cant (Int Corps), made a steady start in reply before the latter fell for 17. Clark departed soon afterwards as the score slipped to 36-2, leaving all-rounder Maj Mel Vaggers (AGC (SPS)) to help steady the ship.
She was bowled for 23 to end a 44-run stand and Cant then did the bulk of the scoring until her late dismissal set the stage for Sullivan to complete the job.
“That was insane,” Cant told SoldierSport afterwards. “This is the best Inter-Services we have had in ages. The RAF were so close, and I would have been pleased if they won, but I’m obviously happy that we did.
“I felt quite comfortable at the start of the run chase. We lost Georgie but I was thinking ‘everything is grand’. Gabie was dismissed a lot quicker than expected and it went up and down from there.
“I was trying to keep the run rate in mind and should have dived on the run out – I thought I was in. But the girls did an amazing job at the end, they really kept their heads.
“The RAF have found a great opening batter and have a couple of new bowlers coming through that are exciting. The Royal Navy have some fresh talent as well.
“To see everyone playing flat out is great for women’s cricket.”
The Cant sisters both scored unbeaten half-centuries as the army successfully chased a target of 139 to beat the senior service in their opening game.
The focus now switches to the longer format with the army aiming for an Inter-Services double at the 40-over championships.
A number of friendlies are planned in the build-up to the competition, which runs from July 15-18. The army men will then compete for forces honours in their 50-over championships from July 28-31.
