A back of a length delivery outside off sees the batter attempt a pull but only manages to top edge it. She is caught by the wicketkeeper. Liv Barnes departs after scoring 4 runs off 5 balls.
Over 19. 10 runs. Bowler: Sophie Munro. Somerset Women: 7-171(rr 9) Over the wicket. Length ball, outside off, front foot, drive along the ground to Jo Gardner at long on. 1 run.
The yorker on off stump is met with a crisp flick from Niamh Holland, who keeps the ball grounded and sneaks a quick single to deep backward square leg.
Bowled on a length, the ball on middle stump is gently flicked off the pads by Niamh Holland for a quick two as the fielder at deep backward square leg struggles, allowing an easy misfield.
Sophie Munro bowls a full toss on middle stump, but Niamh Holland reads it well and pulls it cleanly, sending it racing to deep backward square leg for four.
Over 18. 5 runs. Bowler: Esmae MacGregor. Somerset Women: 7-161(rr 8.94) Liv Barnes elegantly flicks the length ball straight off middle stump, guiding it cleverly to deep backward square leg for two runs. Barnes gets off the mark while Somerset Women require 17 runs from 12 balls with three wickets in hand, the chase intensifying.
The bowler delivers a length ball outside off without any movement. Lola Harris attempts a slog-sweep but misses completely, and the ball hits the stumps to dismiss her bowled. Lola Harris falls for 2 runs off 9 balls, a crucial wicket for Essex Women.
Over 17. 6 runs. Bowler: Sophia Smale. Somerset Women: 6-156(rr 9.18) Lola Harris attempts a slog-sweep off a stock ball pitching outside off, but misses completely. It’s a dot ball as the keeper gathers neatly. Somerset Women require 22 runs from 18 balls with four wickets in hand; the chase intensifies.
The bowler sends down a yorker on a stock ball outside off, and the batter attempts a drive but misses completely. A tidy dot ball, well fielded by the keeper.
Outside off on a length, the stock ball is met with a controlled slog-sweep that scoops the ball away for a quick two runs. Lola Harris gets off the mark with a nice strike.
Sophia Smale bowls a length ball wide outside off, and Lola Harris attempts a drive but misses completely. Two wides are signaled, adding extras to the total.
Over 16. 6 runs. Bowler: Esmae MacGregor. Somerset Women: 6-150(rr 9.38) Esmae MacGregor sends down a length ball outside off, and Niamh Holland leans in with a well-timed drive. She sends it racing cleanly through extra cover for four. Somerset Women move to 150 for 6, needing 28 from 24 balls with four wickets left.
A length ball outside off, Lola Harris leans into a controlled drive, keeping it on the ground but finds no gap as the fielder at mid-wicket swoops in quickly.
Esmae MacGregor bowls a length ball just outside off stump. Chloe Skelton goes for an ambitious drive but mistimes it badly, resulting in a catch at mid off. Chloe Skelton is dismissed after scoring 4 runs from 9 balls.
