Durham Women 221/8 vs Birmingham Bears 224/8
Durham Women fell to a two-wicket defeat against the Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston with Harriet Robson scoring 54 and a pair of wickets apiece for Abi Glen and Freya Rook.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Emma Marlow shared a 56-run partnership for the opening stand, capitalising on some loose bowling by the hosts.
Marlow drove one into the hands of bowler Chloe Brewer before Leah Dobson was trapped on the back pad, also by Brewer.
Harriet Robson went to her maiden senior Durham half-century inside 61 balls and struck 11 fours before being dismissed on 54.
Durham produced regular partnerships with Abi Glen (36) and Trudy Johnson (30) leading the way but the hosts claimed regular wickets, leaving Durham 221 for eight after the first innings.
Millie Taylor and Brewer took two wickets each for the hosts as Hannah Hardwick, Amu Surenkumar, Ebony Tweats and Hannah Baker all claimed one apiece.
In response, Sterre Kalis (50) and Abbey Freeborn (45) shared a partnership worth 109 before both retired out.
20-year-old Freya Rook bowled Meg Austin with the hosts on 117. After a partnership of 39 between Katie George and Nat Wraith, the former’s dismissal by Abi Glen sparked a flurry of dismissals with the hosts losing three wickets for 10 runs.
Johnson removed Wraith via the hands of Laura Trotter before clever wicketkeeping from Mia Rogers saw Surenkumar stumped first ball with the Bears 166 for six.
After a stabilising partnership of 40, Durham grabbed two late wickets through Rook and Sophia Turner but the hosts managed to close out a two-wicket victory.
Durham Women will face Lancashire and Durham UCCE in two further friendlies ahead of the season opener against Essex on April 23rd.