Army kick off women's Inter Services title defence with win over determined Navy

The British Army have beaten the Royal Navy by eight wickets to put themselves in pole position to win the women's Inter Services 40-over cricket title.

After the previous day’s rain-ruined match between the Navy and the RAF, now to be replayed on Thursday, the Army came to Burnaby Road with high hopes of not only victory, but also some sunshine.

Fielding first, they restricted their naval opponents to 132 for 7 in 40 overs, with some hard hitting by Fiesha Green helping the home side over the 100 mark. 

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However, the Army controlled the run rate - with Amanda Potgieter taking 3-21 from her eight overs.

Their chase got off to the worst possible start as Georgie Cant was caught behind first ball, but it didn’t take long for number three Georgina Dean to impose herself on the Navy bowlers, with powerful striking taking her to 58 from just 33 balls.

As has been the case fairly often this summer, the rain came to almost spoil the party once again, with fewer than 30 runs needed.

The target was revised to 111 and when the sides came back out, it took less than an over to knock off the runs, leaving the Army at top of the table on two points ahead of their match against the RAF today.