Kent Women and Essex Women played out a rain-affected draw in their Exhibition T20 game in Canterbury on Monday.

Only 14 overs of play were possible, with Essex 86/3 at the time of abandonment, majorly in thanks to Catherine Dalton’s unbeaten half-century.

Alexa Stonehouse, Kalea Moore and Ryana MacDonald-Gay picked up the wickets for Kent, who were crowned Southeast Vitality Women’s County T20 champions earlier this year.

Before play, 2020 caps were awarded to Susie Rowe, Alice Davidson-Richards, Hannah Jelfs and Grace Gibbs. Phoebe Franklin earned a 2021 cap, whilst former players Charlotte Anneveld and Erin Birmingham were also recognised in the presentation.

17-year-old Kent captain Grace Scrivens won the toss before play and opted to bowl first, with Alexa Stonehouse opening the bowling for Kent. And Stonehouse struck almost straight away, bowling Emma Jones for a duck off the fifth ball of the first over.

Catherine Dalton hit three fours from Kalea Moore’s opening over, and the Essex opener was dropped by Grace Scrivens at cover at the end of the fourth. The visitors reached 33/1 at the end of the powerplay.

Players started to slip as the rain fell in Canterbury, but Ryana MacDonald-Gay struck with her first delivery in the game as Grace Poole was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mia Rogers for 19.

Dalton brought up Essex’s 50 in the ninth over with her latest four, and Essex were 55/2 at the halfway stage of their innings.

Erica Hobson was caught at cover by Scrivens off the bowling of Moore for four as Kent continued to press, but play was brought to a halt after 14 overs with Essex at 71/3.

The players got back on soon after, and, after Dalton was dropped on 44 at mid-off, she went onto her 50, from 46 balls with seven fours to her name. 

The rain again returned however, and play was abandoned not long before 8:30pm, though the weather couldn’t ruin celebrations as the Horses lifted their T20 trophy and collected their winners medals as a reward for their success this season.