British Army women dodge rain showers to beat Marylebone Cricket Club by seven wickets
The current UK Armed Forces champions, the Army women, have beaten MCC women by seven wickets on a rain-affected day at Aldershot.
The match-winning performance comes ahead of them mounting a defence of their Inter Services crown at Arundel in the coming weeks.
The MCC scored 100-3 in their 20 overs and the military side eclipsed the target to win by seven wickets, thanks to a solid batting display by Army all-rounder Amanda Potgeiter, who top-scored with 47 not out.
The visitors had lost to the RAF women just days earlier and found the opening exchanges with the Army heavy going.
Amelia Kite was soon on her way back to the pavilion following her dismissal to Izzy Wragg. Lois Thornton claimed catch with the score 7-1.
Welsh international Emma Godman launched a recovery for the batting side with some well-timed shots to the boundary.
The experienced Amanda Potgeiter pegged the MCC back once more, encouraging Madaluka Sundaram to loop her shot into the clutches of Eve Alder. The score now was 27-2.
By now, rain was beginning to fall, but the runs from the bat were slowly drying up as the Army restricted their opponents from reaching the boundary rope.
With the MCC innings drawing to a close, Chloe Allison was undone by the bowling of Emily Wall. At 83-3 the visitors were close to setting a smaller score than hoped.
Both sides were hampered by the greasy playing surface, but the umpires were keen for the match to continue.
The MCC added precious runs to their total, especially as the conditions improved and Godman carried her bat through the innings, top-scoring for her side with 37 not out.
The home side got off to a shaky start with their reply. Kite clung on to a loose shot from Army opener Georgie Cant which seemed to take the bowler by surprise.
Georgie's twin Connie looked to take on the challenge of the MCC bowling attack and eat away at the target.
Just a few overs later, she too was dismissed, beaten by a Georgia Howarth delivery that nipped back onto the timbers.
When Eve Alder suffered a soft dismissal to Godman the Army were in a spot of bother at 35 for 3.
It was left to Potgeiter to steady the Army innings as gradually she took the game away from the MCC.
Meanwhile at the other end, Wragg made a productive contribution with the bat. The Army pair took the military side to the brink of victory with some sumptuous shots.
It was left to Wragg to sweep her side to success as the Army enjoyed a victory over their illustrious rivals.
The winning runs came just in the nick of time too, with the heavens opening once more. Potgeiter ended on 47 not out and Wragg with 29 not out as the Army enjoyed a seven-wicket win.
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