BETHAN Manning’s terrific spell of 5-9 from four overs paved the way for Gloucestershire Girls U15s to overcome Devon by eight wickets in an ECB T20 friendly at Crickhowell.
Devon, who lost the toss, were restricted to a challenge of 85-9 as Bethan (main image) followed up good early work from Jemima Smith (1-6) and Eliza Moore (1-13, both from three) while there were also wickets for Sophie Smith-Graham (1-8) and Prarthana Reddy (1-17).
In reply, Gloucestershire were given a solid start by openers Bea Willis (18) and Lucy Thompson (15) before Prarthana (18) and Jen Rivers (17) shared an unbroken stand of 30 to seal the spoils with more than five overs to spare.
This win completed an excellent day for Gloucestershire who had earlier paced their reply to perfection, nailing down a three-wicket victory against triangular hosts Wales with two balls to spare.
Wales struggled to reach 80-7 after losing the toss, Jen Rivers (3-5 from three) putting the top order under pressure while there were also tight spells from Florence Hampton (1-7) and Emily Austen (1-9) with wickets too for Prarthana Reddy and Bea Willis.
Gloucestershire were well placed in reply at 46-2, Jen hitting 16, before a flurry of wickets fell, leaving Lucy Thompson (18 not) to see her side over the line.
Gloucestershire Girls U13s
Gloucestershire Girls U13s, meanwhile, emerged 31-run victors in a friendly away to Warwickshire.
Bella Herring (28), Amelia Funnell (27) and opener Megan Ahearne (18) were the major contributors in a 35-over total of 137-9.
In reply, the home side were restricted to 106-8 as Gloucestershire used ten bowlers, Bella (2-10 from five) and Lily Moss (2-15 from four) leading the way while there were also wickets for Sophie Murray, Abigail Bryan and Amelia.
Gloucestershire Girls U18s suffered a last-over five-wicket reverse away to Somerset in ECB Group Eight.
Liv Daniels’ patient unbeaten 56 from 100 along with Katie Dolman (28) and Emilia Powell (22) lifted the visitors to 159-7 from their 40.
And it was almost enough as Somerset completed the win with five balls in hand despite the efforts of Liv (1-17 from eight) and Lily Knox (0-22 from seven) with Isobel Patel, Emily Murray, Beatrix Ellis and Rachel Le Poidevin all taking wickets.