NEWENT Cricket Club’s women brought their T20 league campaign to a close with a 52-run defeat against Tewkesbury at Three Ashes on Sunday.

The hosts faced a challenging target after Tewkesbury made 122-2 from their 20 overs, before Newent battled through their full allocation to finish on 70-5.

Newent won the toss and elected to field in their final GCF Women and Girls Competitions T20 Division Two Forest of Dean fixture of the season.

They made the perfect start when Freya Vincent struck early, removing Molly Cross without scoring to leave the visitors 0-1.

But Tewkesbury recovered through Jackie Fenn, who produced the standout innings of the afternoon alongside Lauren Relf.

The pair took the score to 50 before Newent claimed their second wicket, Amelia Curtis trapping Relf lbw for four.

Fenn continued to lead the visitors’ charge and reached her half-century from 38 balls, having struck nine fours and a six.

She eventually retired not out for 51, while Clare Caudle-Stephens and Shreya Das England helped Tewkesbury finish strongly.

Caudle-Stephens ended unbeaten on 24, with Das England making 17 not out as the visitors posted 122 from their 20 overs.

Newent’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Vincent returning figures of 1-19 from four overs, including a maiden, while Curtis claimed 1-26.

Alison Hall also produced an economical spell, conceding just 17 runs from her four overs.

Newent’s reply suffered an early setback when wicketkeeper Nicola Page was bowled by Relf for five.

Captain Amy Washington was then trapped lbw by the same bowler for one, leaving Newent 16-2.

Emily Burnside provided a burst of attacking intent with two boundaries in a quick eight from six deliveries before she was run out by Cross.

Curtis was bowled by Jackie Lewis for two, but Hall helped push the home side beyond 50 with an entertaining 12 from 11 balls, including three fours.

Her innings ended when she was trapped lbw by Emily Sydenham with Newent 55-5.

Liz Lacy provided the backbone of Newent’s innings and remained at the crease throughout, finishing unbeaten on 19 from 53 deliveries with two boundaries.

Louise Cole joined her for the closing stages and made an unbeaten six as Newent reached 70-5 from their 20 overs.

Relf was the pick of Tewkesbury’s attack, taking 2-10 from three overs, while Lewis and Sydenham claimed one wicket apiece.

Despite defeat in their final league outing, Newent ensured Tewkesbury had to work throughout the afternoon, batting out their full 20 overs after an encouraging bowling display.

The match brought the curtain down on Newent Ladies’ T20 hardball league campaign, with the side having continued to provide opportunities for women’s cricket at Three Ashes throughout the summer.

Tewkesbury collected 17 points from the contest, while Newent took five from their final fixture.

The home side used seven bowlers during the innings, with Cole sending down four overs and taking a maiden. Ella Curtis conceded 10 runs from three overs, while Scott and Burnside were also given opportunities with the ball.