Prendergast stars with 115 on her debut for Storm

ORLA Prendergast scored a magnificent century on debut to propel Western Storm to a six-wicket Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy victory over Thunder at Sophia Gardens.

Having joined the staff only 48 hours previously, the Irish international made the best possible first impression, posting a careerbest 115 and sharing in a mammoth third-wicket stand of 186 with Fran Wilson, who finished unbeaten on 74 from 100 balls.

Prendergast’s superb innings comprised 115 balls and included 11 fours and a six as Storm chased down a victory target of 215 with 51 balls to spare. The pick of Thunder’s bowlers, Mahika Gaur claimed 3-39 from her allotted overs.

Opener Emma Lamb top-scored with 74 and Deandra Dottin contributed a hard-hitting 41 after Thunder had won the toss and elected to bat.

But Storm’s bowlers stuck to their task, Chloe Skelton accounting for Lamb and Dottin in an incisive return of 3-36, while Dani Gibson took 2-13 and Lauren Filer 2-54. Thunder’s middle and lower order came up short and they were bowled out for an inadequate 214 in 44.4 overs.

Heavily defeated by reigning champions Northern Diamonds at Headingley in their opening fixture, Storm summoned the perfect response.

Western Storm skipper Dani Gibson said: “My first game as captain could hardly have gone any better.

“The girls gave me fantastic support and made it easy for me. I think the game was won and lost when we restricted them to 214. Emma Lamb and Deandra Dottin were going really well, but we never felt that they were getting away from us and nobody panicked. Chloe Skelton got them both out and then it was a different game. We felt we could squeeze them and it was a very disciplined performance in the field.

“Orla Prendergast then showed why we’ve signed her. She only flew in the night before, so for her to put together an innings like that was impressive.

“In Fran Wilson, she had the perfect person to bat with. Fran is so experienced and so calm and she would have been telling Orla to stay there and see the job through. After losing to Diamonds the way we did, to come back and post a performance like this is very pleasing. It will give us confidence going into the next game.”

Western Storm are back in action today against South East Stars at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol (10.30am).