Surrey Women crowned inaugural Vitality Blast champions

Surrey Women (154-5) beat Bears Women (153-9) by 5 wickets.

Surrey Women were crowned champions of the first-ever Vitality Blast women’s competition after a convincing five-wicket win over the Bears Women at the Kia Oval.

Grace Harris led the way for the hosts with a match-winning 63* from just 33 balls, guiding Surrey to victory with 20 balls to spare.

Having defeated The Blaze in the Eliminator earlier in the day, Bears were sent into bat first.

Surrey struck early, with Alexa Stonehouse (2–39) removing Meg Austin for 4 in the second ball of the match. Davina Perrin followed soon after, dismissed for a three-ball duck by Alice Capsey (1–33).

Issy Wong top-scored for the Bears with 31, but after becoming Stonehouse’s second wicket, the visitor's innings faltered. Four wickets fell in five overs, reducing them to 115 for 8 by the 15th over. Phoebe Franklin (2–16) helped close out the innings as Surrey’s bowlers restricted the Bears to 153.

In reply, Surrey captain Bryony Smith made 21, while Danni Wyatt-Hodge fell for 5, caught off Em Arlott (2–19).

Capsey added a swift 15, and Sophia Dunkley chipped in with 23 before being stumped by Nat Wraith off Amu Surenkumar (2–13).

However, it was Harris who took control of the chase, her powerful knock including seven 4s and two 6s sealed the win and the trophy for Surrey.

The domestic summer continues with the Metro Bank One Day Cup where the Bears and Surrey will face each other again on Wednesday July 30, at Edgbaston Community Sports Ground.

Please find post match press conferences with Bears Women's Issy Wong and Surrey Women's Grace Harris HERE.