SOMERSET Women's 1st XI kicked off their 2021 season with back-to-back wins away to Staffordshire on Sunday.

The opening fixtures of the Women's County T20 West/Midlands Group took Somerset to Fordhouses Cricket Club, where the 11am match saw the hosts opt to bat first.

But Staffordshire found themselves losing regular wickets, as Georgia Hennessy (3-24) and Sophie Luff (2-18) dominated.

There were also wickets for Joleigh Roberts and Lorraine Szczepanski as the home side ended up with 127-8 from their 20 overs - Stephanie Butler (30) top scoring.

Somerset's opening partnership of Luff and Hennessy got the bulk of the chase done themselves, putting on 73 runs before Luff fell for 25.

Hennessy made it to 61 (off 50 balls, with nine fours and one six) and departed with the finish line in sight, as Daisy Jeanes (9*) and Niamh Holland (5*) secured victory in 18.4 overs.

Somerset chose to bat first in the afternoon match, and this time Luff (42 off 41 balls) and Hennessy (78, off 54 balls, with 13 fours) brought up three figures as an opening partnership.

Ellie Mitchell contributed 30* as the visitors finished on 161-3.

Staffordshire's chase began poorly, losing both Lydia Perry (5) and skipper Butler (8) to find themselves on 30-2, as Roberts and Szczepanski struck.

Ilenia Sims (32) and Poppy Davies (59) counter-attacked, but Hennessy continued her fine day's work with 2-20 to strangle the run chase.

The hosts finished with 128-5, giving Somerset the win by 33 runs.

This coming weekend sees Somerset play an away fixture against University of Exeter Cricket Club (Sunday, May 2), before their next County T20 double-header, at home to Cricket Wales on Monday, May 3 (11am and 3pm).

Somerset then host Berkshire on Sunday, May 9, before travelling to face Worcestershire on Sunday, May 16 (both 11am and 3pm).