Central Sparks fired to back to back wins in the Charlotte Edwards Cup beating Western Storm by 21 runs at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.
A top-score of (68) from Abbey Freeborn, followed by Katie George's excellent spell of (4-36) ensured Sparks flew to a big win against Storm, who fall to back to back losses in the T20 competition.
It was the hosts who won the toss, putting Sparks in to bat, but it didn't seem too tall a task as Freeborn and Davina Perrin charged to decent scores, putting the side in a strong position at the end of the powerplay.
Losing the wicket of opener Ami Campbell struggled to phase Sparks, as Freeborn went on to make a half-century, playing some effortless shots on the way. While Perrin was caught at cover for (26).
As Sparks' number eight left, captain Eve Jones came out to join Freeborn. Jones made a sharp (38) before being dismissed, with a fantastic six which was smacked high and wide into the main stand at the CACG.
Eventually Storm's bowlers grew into the game and slightly restricted Sparks to a final score of 168/6 after it looked like the visitors would make at least 180.
Chloe Skelton took two wickets, with Sparks making Storm require 169 to win the game.
The hosts lost a wicket in just the second ball of their innings as Emma Corney was caught athletically at slip by George off the bowling of Grace Potts.
Then, Storm began how they needed to and flew out of the traps with England's Danielle Gibson scoring very quickly.
Soon after taking the catch to give Potts the opening wicket of the night for Sparks, she got in on the act and bowled Niamh Holland. George would also dismiss Sophie Luff and Gibson, two huge wickets leaving it all to do for Trevor Griffin's side.
Energy and execution in the field, with bowlers hitting their straps, it turned into a perfect night for Sparks. As well as contributing terrifically with the bat, Freeborn caught two Storm batters behind, and stumped one.
With Storm bowled out for just 147, a well rounded team performance, fronted by George and Freeborn springboarded Sparks to top of the table as they register two wins from the opening two games in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
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