Bucks Women reach Round 2 of the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup in dramatic fashion, defeating Suffolk with just one ball to spare on Sunday.

Photo: Luke Stafford - Sports Shots

After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Bucks Women started up with a maiden over from Natasha MacBean. The first wicket fell in the fourth over after a sharp Amelia Ridgway throw was enough to run out Dia Nair (12).

After an expensive third over from MacBean, a second wicket was taken by Cara Duggan, getting the ball to swing considerably into Evie Brooker's middle/leg stump.

Momentum was hard to come by for the home side, and Bucks continued to mount pressure by restricting the hosts to no boundaries in 5 consecutive overs.

Eva Lewis was next to strike taking two-in-two, dismissing Charlotte Anderson (31) and Megan Haynes for a golden duck, reducing Suffolk to 63/4 after 12 overs.

Sky Springett then followed up with a wicket of her own in the 13th over, before conceding 17 runs from her next over to Sophie Hughes, who was looking to push the tempo.

Hughes kept the runs flowing deep into the Suffolk innings before finally falling to MacBean for an excellent 54 from 38 balls. With just one over to go, Captain Duggan conceded just 2 runs from it, and Bucks were set 125 to win.

A very measured start saw Rosie Burton-Pye and Afra Rose Mohamed pick their moments as they put on an impressive 69-run opening partnership before Burton-Pye was run out for 39.

Duggan next in, and the steady runs continued to flow for Bucks until the skipper was trapped LBW for 15, leaving her side 24 runs to win from 22 balls.

After a brief wobble of Tegan Stockdale being dismissed for 4, Tilly Fellows stepped up with a brilliant 19th over. 14 runs scored between her and Mohamed, including a high risk high reward ramp shot, took Bucks to within 4 runs of the winning total.

Despite an incredibly tight over from Analise Merritt, Mohamed was able to squeeze the winning run with just one ball to spare, sealing an incredibly close victory for Bucks, and booking their place in Round 2.

Captain Cara Duggan is delighted with her team: The girls played brilliantly! It was amazing to get the win away from home, with the whole team contributing. We had a great night staying over for the first time this season, and that carried into the game yesterday. We were also so fortunate to have supporters make the journey for us, which really helped ease the nerves.

Tilly took on the challenge with all of us backing her. She's such a calm head, and in a tight situation, it was amazing to see her step up as always and bring it home alongside Afra's and Rosie's innings.

Eva has settled so nicely into the team! As a friend before she joined Bucks, I was super excited for her to get involved, and she's done just that. She's taken everything in her stride and added another senior presence to our squad, which has helped immensely. We've also gained great senior additions this season in Zayna and Asmi, and they’ve all slotted in brilliantly, showing their talent and performing superbly.

Very excited for what's to come this season!

Victory from Bucks Women sees them through to Round 2 of the  Vitality T20 Women's County Cup, where they will face Norfolk.

Scorecard - buckscricket.play-cricket.com/website/results/7233765

Cup Draw - buckscricket.play-cricket.com/cup_draw?id=69139

Next game - Bucks Women travel to Warrington Sports Club on Sunday 10 May in Vitality Blast Women's League 3 - Division 1B action against Cheshire.