Poppy Walker shines as Glamorgan beat Sussex in Women’s T20 Blast

Teenage spinner Poppy Walker took four wickets as Glamorgan held on to beat Sussex by five runs and claim their first win in the Vitality Blast Women League 2 South Group.

Chasing 134, Sussex looked well on course when England Under-19s captain Abi Norgrove hit 42 off 32 balls.

But Glamorgan kept taking wickets and confirmed their victory off the last ball.

Glamorgan’s 133-8 owed much to opener Daisy Jeanes and the experienced Bethan Gammon, who made 42 apiece.

Their stand of 58 gave Glamorgan much-needed momentum after Anna Buckle took two wickets in the eighth over.

Gammon’s runs came off just 32 balls, hitting eight boundaries, but both she and Jeanes fell to 17-year-old Eve O’Neill.

Norgrove got Sussex flying before she was caught off the glove off Walker’s bowling, wicket-keeper Georgia Parfitt adding to her two smart stumpings.

Sussex were ahead of the rate at half-way, but no-one else could restore Sussex’s fortunes as Walker, also 17, kept her nerve under fire as she turned the ball both ways.

Gemma Porter took 2-12 in her four overs as Glamorgan strengthened their position in the closing stages.

It was a fine comeback from Glamorgan after losing their opening match at Middlesex, before they host Middlesex at Colwyn Bay on Sunday, 15 June.

Sussex, who have one from three, host Kent on Sunday, 22 June.