Sapphires win Super 4s

10 July 2006

Skipper Laura Newton and her Sapphires show off the Super 4s trophy for 2006

Laura Newton’s Sapphires took the 2006 Super 4s cup after the final weekend of matches held at Loughborough University.

“We’re delighted to win the Super 4s trophy for the second time in its history,” she said. “The team have performed so well together throughout the whole competition, particularly Claire Taylor who has batted superbly, as has Rosalie Birch.

“We’ve had a great crop of youngsters playing with us too, who have fielded so well throughout and have shown such enthusiasm and desire to play that I have no doubt they’ll be involved in future Super 4s competitions.”

Newton receives the trophy from Admiral's Andy Harvey

On Saturday they took on the Diamonds and won by 25 runs. England batsman Claire Taylor made 108 while Newton took five wickets for just 22 runs. In reply Charlotte Edwards hit 69 before being stumped off Newton’s bowling.

This victory ensured a competition win for the Sapphires, who then lost to the Rubies by 18 runs on Sunday in their second match of the weekend. Newton starred again in that match, smashing her way to a score of 143, the second highest score in 2006’s competition.

Alexia Walker hit 113 not out for the Rubies, a knock that earned them their third win of the tournament and helped them secure second place overall.

The Emeralds played the Rubies in their first match, the latter taking victory by 77 runs. Caroline Atkins made 83 before being caught and bowled by Kelly Evenson and Alexia Walker took 4-17.

On Sunday, the Emeralds faced the Diamonds and lost by five wickets. Laura Harper hit her second half-century of the weekend for the Emeralds, but Edwards’ team showed strength and determination to finish third overall.

Taylor topped the final batting table with an average of 106.5. She scored a total of 426 runs, with a high score of 118 not out. England seamer Katherine Brunt topped the bowling averages with an economy rate of 2.77.

Final table: