Opening Fixture

West of Scotland Women's XI played their first Women's Premier League game, taking on last season's champions Edinburgh South/Stewart Melville (ES/SM).

Having lost the toss and being asked to bat, ES/SM started well with opener Sophie Trickett out LBW to a ball that stayed low. Maisie Taylor (6) was bowled a few overs late leaving West of Scotland 23-2.

West of Scotland's other opening batter Nayma Shaikh (34) put on an impressive 64 run partnership with Neha Mahatma (64*) taking the score to 87.

Captain Lauren Payas (32*) was next to the crease and helped take West of Scotland to 178-3 off the 30 overs teaming up with Mahatma who batted brilliantly and scoring West of Scotland Women's first ever half century.

Edinburgh South/Stewart Melville's chase started well with former Scotland International Kathryn White batting well for 28 before Nayma Shaikh got the breakthrough.

Some tight bowling through the middle overs, particularly from youngsters Faatima Gardee and Emily Norris restricted Edinburgh South/Stewart Melville and kept the scoreboard pressure on.

After the other opener Holland was run out by Maryam Faisal on 29 overseas player Hannah Short came to the crease and brought her side back into the game.

West of Scotland's fielding and bowling performance - with Maryam Faisal and wicketkeeper Maisie Taylor teaming up for another run out - left Short too much to do with 30 runs required in the final three overs. Short mis-hit a shot off Captain Lauren Payas with youngster Sophie Trickett holding her nerve underneath the catch.

Shaikh continued to bowl excellently and was rewarded with three more wickets finishing with figures of 4-9 with 2 wickets and one run off the last over as West of Scotland Women completed their 21 run win.