Meir Heath bowlers on red alert

England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor has helped Brighton & Hove to win © Getty Images

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Meir Heath vice-captain Sue Redfern heralded her side's bowling performances this season as they peer down from the summit of the women's Premier League North.

Redfern and her team-mates are currently eight points ahead of Tytherington Club - a gap the all-rounder puts down to Meir Heath's efforts with the ball.

"Our bowling has been the difference between win and lose," she said.

"Players have identified their roles and stuck to the tasks required. There have been some great performances during some very difficult periods of play."

Meir Heath demonstrated their ability to pull together as a team in their impressive win over Derby where, having failed to set a decent total, they turned in a disciplined performance with the ball to eek out a fine victory.

"The standard of the league seems to be a little stronger this year," added Redfern, whose side play Ransome & Marles this weekend.

"That's a huge match. Ransome & Marles cannot afford to lose another game and we would like to remain unbeaten."

Katherine Brunt has been on form for Brighton & Hove

Women's cricket is on the rise, both in terms of performance and participation, and Redfern insists the Premier League is an excellent environment for players to improve.

"With the international series around the corner and the prospect of the Twenty20 World Cup next year, Premier League cricket should be seen as the breeding ground for future international stars – with new developing players and experienced players within teams this can only strengthen women’s cricket.

"Premier cricket needs to be run and seen to be an opportunity for some of the best players to compete."

Brighton & Hove Cricket Club have emerged as the dominant force thus far in the women’s Premier League South, winning four games out of five with the other game being cancelled.

The leaders are stocked with England regulars - Caroline Atkins, Holly Colvin, Sarah Taylor, Katherine Brunt, Rosalie Birch and Laura Marsh - as well as ex-England women’s captain and ECB head of women’s cricket Clare Connor.

Shepperton are their nearest challengers with two wins and 66 points while at the other end of the table, Portsmouth Community CC are currently propping up the rest with a meagre 16 points.