WESTERN STORM MANAGEMENT TEAM REFLECT ON A REMARKABLE CAMPAIGN
8 September 2017
After losing out in the final of last year’s Kia Super League to Southern Vipers, Western Storm were determined to go one better in 2017.
Last years runners up had the perfect opportunity to claim their revenge after the fixture computer paired the 2016 finalists in this season’s opening match of the competition in front of the television cameras at the Ageas Bowl.
Unfortunately for the Storm, history repeated itself and they came out on the wrong side of a nine wicket defeat much to the disappointment of everyone connected with the squad.
However, the team dusted themselves off and put together a great run of form which saw them qualify for Finals Day.
Standing between Western Storm and another shot at Southern Vipers in the final were Surrey Stars in the semi-final.
A nerve jangling win set up the final showdown with the old enemy and on this occasion it was the team from the South West that came out on top by seven wickets thanks to a stunning performance from Rachel Priest.
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HOVE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Players of Western Storm celebrates the victory of the Women's Kia Super League Final between Southern Vipers and Western Storm at The 1st Central County Ground on September 1, 2017 in Hove, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)[/caption]
A week after their triumph Head Coach Trevor Griffin looked back on the competition as a whole. “It was a rollercoaster of a tournament and the players were all absolutely top class,” he said.” Everyone played their part at some point during the competition and it was a real team effort. I’m incredibly proud of all of them.”
“It wasn’t the most consistent of campaigns and we did it the hard way. That shows the resilience of the squad and we peaked at the right time. Western Storm is about much more than just the 11 players who take to the field. Every player within the squad made a huge contribution, as did the backroom staff and a big thank you has to go to them too.
“The team spirit and the atmosphere around the camp from day one was outstanding and lifting the trophy was just reward for the amount of effort that everyone involved with Western Storm put in to this campaign.”
General Manager Lisa Pagett said: “It’s hard to put in to words how it felt to win last Friday. To go so close last year was heart-breaking, so to lift the trophy this time around was amazing.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who played their part in this success. Every single player in the squad was phenomenal and the support that we received from all of our partners including Taunton School, Somerset County Sports, Wollen Michelmore and Tyka was superb.
“I’d also like to thank Somerset and Gloucestershire for providing us with fantastic venues on which to play our home games and University of Exeter for allowing us to use their excellent facilities.”
