STEEP travelled to Milland for this second leg of the Milland Charity Cup, leading the home team by just six runs.

Milland batted first and with all their top order batters making good runs – Emma Clapham (36), Pippa Sherry (31), Sue Strike (25), Angela Bateup (32*) and Lynda Clapham (13) – they posted a challenging score of 142.

The Steep innings failed to live up to this challenge, Deirdre Lindsey being dismissed for 14 and Joy Barnes 20. The middle order failed significantly and only Aimee Holloway (16) made any contribution, and even a late rally of 19* from veteran Shirley Reed failed to bring the score near Milland's total.

Steep scored 123, still 15 runs short, so Milland qualify for the final next Wednesday of the cup which they instigated.

Steep v Elsted

In a partnership of 33 in three overs with her mother Dierdre Lindsey (29), Charlotte Lindsey was in fine form scoring 49*.

Together with useful contributions from Lauren Preston (17) and Joy Barnes (10), Steep scored 125 off their 12 overs. Elsted started their reply steadily enough but Charlotte Lindsey took three wickets in quick succession.

Although Emma Deman (27) and Sally Bates recovered the situation to some extent they never quite caught up with the run rate finishing on 104. Charlotte Lindsey ended with 4-29.

Three Counties v Steep

Three Counties batted first on their home ground at Fernhurst and made a disastrous start, losing six wickets in the first three overs.

Only Janice Helas (31) stuck to the task and her team were all out for 62 in the ninth over. With Tanya Roberts (22) and Nicole Barnes (14) having an opening partnership of 39, Steep had little trouble in overhauling this score – even with Pam Jessop taking a hat-trick. Aimee Holloway (28) and Lauren Preston (26) saw them home in the ninth over, Steep finishing on 104.

Kirdford v Steep

A fine innings by Lauren Preston of 51, supported by short cameo efforts from Aimee Holloway (18) and Debbie Geer (17), brought Steep 125.

Kirdford's reply started too steadily and by the time Donna Harding (19) and Marie Ford (45*) came to the wicket they could not quite overcome the accurate Steep bowling – Joy Barnes (3-29) – and finished 12 short on 113.