Ascott holds her nerve as Steelbacks Women return to winning ways in Blast
Northants Steelbacks are up to third in the Vitality Blast Women's League Two table after they saw off Leicestershire Foxes by five wickets at Grace Road on Sunday.
David Ripley's side went into the game hoping to call a halt to a mini slump that had seen them lose two on the spin, and they did just that.
The win was set up by an excellent bowling performance, that ensured Leicestershire were restricted to just 108 for seven in their 20 overs.
The Steelbacks took wickets at regular intervals to keep their hosts in check, with Anisha Patel the pick of the bowlers as she took three for 24 from her four overs.
There were also wickets for Mabel Reid, Lenny Sims and Ella Phillips, with Reid conceding a miserly five runs from her three overs bowled.
For Leicestershire, Caitlin Chissell top scored with 28 not out from 22 balls, while Flora Davies made 25 from 29 deliveries.
The Steelbacks' reply got off to a shocking start as they slumped to 10 for three in the third over, with Gemma Marriott, Reid and Amelia Kemp all dismissed cheaply.
A rebuild was needed, and it came via the bat of Beth Ascott who held the innings together with 39 not out from 42 balls, hitting four fours along the way.
She received support from Ava Clive (16 from 22) and then Alicia Presland (22no from 15) as the Steelbacks got home with five wickets and 13 balls to spare.
The win sees them rise to third, nine points adrift of top two Middlesex and Glamorgan, although Northants have played a game fewer.
Ripley's team are back in action on Sunday when they entertain Derbyshire Falcons at Horton House CC, with a start time of 2.30pm.
The Falcons are second bottom in the nine-team league, but are just a point behind the Steelbacks in third in what is a very congested table.