Women's Success: The Right People Showed Up but it's Only Half the Season's Expectations Dealt With

As Jon Bon Jovi 30 years ago first screamed the karaoke anthem, “woah we’re halfway there,” with optimism; what the Glamorgan camp should now be thinking is woah, we’re only halfway there.

It would’ve been a disappointment had a comfortable win not been reached but ultimately it was the familiar faces, likely ones which will carried to tier one in what will otherwise be a large reshuffle, who completed the half job. Bethan Gammon scored 69 from just 47 balls with typical Gammon boundary count numbers. Despite her impressive 146 strike-rate, just seven fours were to her name – standing out her smartness when it comes to running and manipulating fielders.

The difference between Gammon and other tier two batters is the time she always seems to have. As someone who played for Western Storm and The Blaze against plenty of the now recognised as tier one sides, she is able to look a standard above as if a club batter is dropping down from the first XI to the seconds. And although she is a familiar face in the Glamorgan run-scoring charts of the last 16 months, it hasn’t necessarily been her campaign with just 191 runs – her only 50 coming in the final – but it is her reliability that makes up for it. It takes a true professional to step up during the final.

On the note of true professionals stepping up during the final, it was to no surprise that Gemma Porter would lead with ball for the Welsh county. The off-spinner took 2 for 9 in her two powerplay overs to end the competition as leading wicket taker (17) at an economy under six.

She needed just one ball at Amelie Munday, Gloucestershire’s leading run scorer, to start the defence of 154 for 6. Some resistance put a half-stop to the domination but ultimately 122 all out and a 32-run margin was never going to be doubted.

Glamorgan’s readiness for tier one still looks a stretch when they’ve competed against Hampshire and Lancashire in round three of the County Cup but when you lose Lauren Parfitt and Daisy Jeanes to be left at 26 for 2, it takes more than just talented batters to dig you out of that hole. That’s the level of professionalism Gammon together with loanee Megan Sturge, who could be eyed up for a move to Glamorgan, showed.

So, in terms of celebrations: a first piece of silverware, winning at Sophia Gardens, and losing just one match in the process may all look impressive on the surface but matching Yorkshire is the minimum to bequeath their tier two successes. Currently, Rachel Priest’s side sit unbeaten from four at the top with a final on September 20 the important date on the calendar.