Gibson’s half-century in vain as Storm fall four short in chase
» DUMBLETON’S Dani Gibson hit a 34-ball 51 as Western Storm fell four runs short in a thrilling Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy contest with Southern Vipers at Bristol.
Charli Knott registered a career-best 102 from 112 balls as Vipers posted a formidable 295-5. Georgia Adams with 65, while Freya Kemp smashed a quickfire 44 not out.
England captain Heather Knight and Fran Wilson laid the foundations with half centuries in a third-wicket stand of 112 in 18 overs. Sophie Luff and Gibson, inset, then staged an outstanding alliance of 78 in nine overs to set-up a dramatic finale.
Both scored half centuries, only to be be dismissed with victory in sight, Freya Davies and Adams bowling well under pressure at the death to finish with two wickets apiece as Storm came up just short on 291-9.
Knott and Maia Bouchier put on 91 before the latter fell to to Amanda-jade Wellington, but Vipers were 141-1 at the halfway stage.
Sophia Smale claimed the wicket of Knott with the score on 206 then England star Danni Wyatt came and went quickly, while Adams departed for an 86-ball 65 as Monmouth’s Smale struck another decisive blow.
Charlie Dean then hit the returning Gibson to mid-off, but Freya Kemp and Georgia Elwiss added 50 from the last 29 balls.
Storm lost openers Smale and Alex Griffiths to Davies inside 10 overs but Knight and Wilson reached the halfway point on 125-2, requiring a further 171 at 6.84 an over.
But their partnership foundered on an instance of rare ill-fortune as Wilson drove straight back at Davies, the bowler fortuitously deflected the ball onto the stumps with Knight out of her crease, run out for 62.
Storm suffered a further blow six balls later, Wilson hoisting Dean to Wyatt at deep mid-wicket for 53 as Storm slipped to 145-4.
Luff and Nat Wraith advanced the score to 191, only for the latter to depart for 28 but Gibson cracked three boundaries in four balls.
With 81 needed off the last 10 overs, Luff and Gibson targeted the spinners, as Luff went to 50 via 47 balls, but was out for 51 in the 47th over with 27 needed off 23 balls.
Gibson reached 50 from 31 balls with seven fours but with 12 needed off the last over, Adams finished the job, having Gibson held at mid-wicket off the second ball of the over, before Robbins was run out.