Charlie Dean leads the Vipers to the T20 title with bat and ball

• Charlie Dean of England took two wickets and shared a match-winning partnership with Ella McCaughan
• Southern Vipers won their first Charlotte Edwards Trophy title at Northampton.
• The Vipers’ bowling performance limited Sparks to 109 for eight in their 20 overs

Charlie Dean of England took two wickets and shared a match-winning partnership with Ella McCaughan as Southern Vipers won their first Charlotte Edwards Trophy title at Northampton.

Despite Amy Jones’ 27-ball 27, Vipers’ bowling performance limited Sparks to 109 for eight in their 20 overs. At Wantage Road, there was a palpable sense of déjà vu as Sparks replicated their semi-final performance earlier this afternoon, losing wickets at regular intervals and limping into three figures.

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Maia Bouchier batted fluently for 32 runs in the run-chase before Dean (7) provided support in a 41-run stand with McCaughan, who hit a run-a-ball 30 to lead Vipers to victory.

Dean struck first, clean bowling Sparks captain Eve Jones for six runs in the second over. Sparks’ second wicket fell two overs later when Issy Wong (2) drilled Freya Kemp hard to mid-on, where Bouchier took a well-timed leaping catch.

Jones had advanced to 27 when she fell while attempting one too many big shots, and Bouchier made an excellent tumbling catch. off Dean in the middle.

Abi Freeborn (18) came down the pitch to drive Dean through extra cover for four to bring up Sparks’ 50 in the tenth over, but fell soon after.

Sarah Glenn (16) went on the offensive to give Sparks something to defend against. She squared Bell for four points and slog swept Dean over fine leg for two more.