Image: Laura Gates

Bucks Women came away from Neston Cricket Club with plenty of pride despite a 110-run defeat to Lancashire Thunder in the Vitality County T20 Cup.

Zaynah Wani returned figures of 2-30 and captain Cara Duggan struck a brilliant unbeaten 54 against the defending champions, but Bucks ultimately fell short against a strong Lancashire side.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, openers Eve Jones (64) and Emma Lamb (35) got Lancashire off to a flying start, reaching 62-0 at the end of the powerplay.

The hosts were on top from the early stages, but Bucks continued to fight. Wani entered the attack in the 10th over and clean bowled Jones with just the fifth ball of her spell.

Wani was not done there. Two balls into her second over, she claimed the wicket of an England international. Wani ripped through an attempted ramp shot from Lamb and had the Tier 1 side at 117/2 in the 12th over.

Seren Smale then came to the crease and quickly found her rhythm with two boundaries in four balls. However, her cameo came to an end when Eva Lewis beat the outside edge with flight and turn. Tilly Fellows whipped off the bails to stump Smale for 8.

With two new batters at the crease, Bucks had an opportunity to build pressure during the remaining overs, but Fellows' namesake and university teammate Kesteven had other ideas.

After a tidy first over from Lewis, Kesteven smashed 25 runs from her next over, shifting the momentum back in Lancashire's favour.

With four overs remaining, Molly Carter took the ball for Bucks and wasted no time in claiming a wicket of her own. She trapped Ellie Threlkeld (6) lbw, leaving Lancashire on 178/4 with three overs to go.

Kesteven continued to motor along and brought up her half-century from just 21 balls. Fi Morris (18) added some crucial runs, with the penultimate over costing 24 and taking Lancashire beyond the 200 mark.

The fight from Bucks remained throughout and was evident again when MacBean dismissed Morris in the deep, with Rosie Burton-Pye taking a good catch in the final over. Lancashire Lightning finished on 221/5.

Faced with a big chase, Lancashire were quick to impose their quality with the ball. Tara Norris dismissed Afra Rose Mohamed and Burton-Pye in the third over, reducing Bucks to 10/2 halfway through the powerplay.

The challenge was on for Annie Townsend and Duggan, and after batting through the powerplay unbeaten, the pair took on Dani Collins and struck 16 runs from the ninth over.

Unfortunately, the third-wicket partnership was broken shortly afterwards as Townsend (23) fell to Venus Weerappuli, caught at long-on by Norris, leaving Bucks 51/3 at the halfway stage.

Fellows (4) was the next to depart after going aerial against Morris, but Duggan remained undeterred, smashing Norris for six in the following over.

Tegan Stockdale (12) was beginning to settle into her innings until she lost her balance, allowing Smale to complete a sharp stumping.

Wani (3) fell late in the innings to debutant Olivia Brinsden, but the skipper continued to fight until the end.

Duggan took a single from the first ball of the final over and sealed a historic moment for herself and Bucks Cricket. Striking another boundary from the penultimate delivery, she finished unbeaten on a remarkable 54. The Neston crowd applauded an outstanding knock against a Lancashire Lightning side featuring international players.

Lightning secured a 110-run victory, but Bucks bowed out of the Vitality County T20 Cup with a performance they can be proud of.

Scorecard

Captain Cara Duggan was immensely proud of her team: 'Sunday was an incredible experience for everyone involved. Reaching the third round and having the opportunity to play against a professional side was unbelievable, and a testament to the girls' efforts so far this season.

We approached the game like any other and gave it our best. After a successful warm-up and winning the toss, we threw ourselves into the fielding and bowling, and everyone performed admirably. Rosie and Molly ran themselves into the ground and threw themselves around in the field, while Zaynah led the bowling attack with some tidy overs and crucial wickets.

Our batting was consistent throughout, with Annie giving us a great start and providing a platform for the rest of the innings. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the crease as well. We had targets we wanted to achieve as a team, and to reach them against a professional side was a fantastic achievement.

I couldn't be prouder of the girls. I'd also like to thank Ben and Malcolm for helping us build momentum throughout the season, and Mum [Becca Duggan] for looking after us all.

The atmosphere throughout the day was incredible. With supporters, cameras and live commentary, it was unlike anything we had experienced before. We had an amazing time and were thrilled to have the opportunity to play and compete so well.

Our thanks go to Lancashire for hosting us and creating such a brilliant day of cricket and experience for Bucks Women. It is something we will never forget.'