Gulf in Standard Shown in Harsh Lesson

Rachel Priest’s side had their first taste of tier one opposition this season as they hosted the Hampshire Hawks at Newport. Glamorgan had beaten Tier Three Devon and Berkshire in the first two rounds of the ‘FA Cup style’ tournament.

Hampshire won the toss batted first on a warm day in Gwent and opened with the formidable paring of England international Maia Bouchier and Georgia Adams. The pair started quickly before Adams was bowled by young spinner Katy Cobb. Bouchier showed her attacking prowess as she took down the Glamorgan bowlers. Together with Abi Norgrove she powered Hampshire to near 100 around the halfway stage before she was bowled by Sara Philips for 63 in part of her formidable spell (1 for 26).

Franchesca Sweet, who had initially signed for Glamorgan in the winter before being offered a pro contract by Hampshire for this season, took over where Bouchier left off as the run rate didn’t cease. Sweet dug the knife into Glamorgan even further as she totalled 77 not out in 35 balls including nine boundaries. Norgrove was run out in the final over for 47 as Hampshire posted an ominous 201 for 3.

Glamorgan’s openers faced an uphill battle, needing to get going from ball one and didn’t get off to the best of starts with Lauren Parfitt and Daisy Jeanes being dismissed cheaply in the first four overs. Gemma Porter and Eve Jackson were able to provide some much-needed light relief in the middle order as Bethan Gammon and Daisy Mullan both couldn’t trouble the scorers. Former Glamorgan loanee Poppy Tulloch claimed the wicket of her former teammate Phillips and Somerset loanee Jasmine Westley.

A last wicket stand from Poppy Walker and Katy Cobb provided some positive consolation for Glamorgan as they got over the hundred mark finishing 104 for 9. Cobb in particular had an afternoon’s work to be pleased with against quality opposition. Phillips, who has found it difficult to stake a regular claim in the side also showed her capabilities on a bigger stage.

An unsurprising result for Glamorgan given the current gap between the two sides but an important reminder that there is still a lot of work to do before Glamorgan make the step up to tier one next season. Though the gap may appear large at the moment, competitive games like this against top tier opposition will only help the current squad transition next season. For now, it’s exit from the County Cup but plenty to focus on in Tier Two this season, as they will be eyeing up silverware at the end of the season.