Cricket

South East Stars secured a home semi-final in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with a dominant 156-run victory over Northern Diamonds at Durham.New-ball seamer Alexa Stonehouse starred for the Stars, claiming a career-best 4 for 27 as the Diamonds were bowled out for a paltry 119 in 37 overs. Alice Davidson-Richards anchored the Stars' innings with a season-best 79, while Emma Jones contributed a career-best 47.The Diamonds, who had already secured top spot in the group stage, failed to match the intensity of the Stars. Rachel Slater and Abi Glen dismissed the Stars' openers, but Davidson-Richards and Phoebe Franklin steadied the ship.Franklin's 32 included a six over long-off, while Davidson-Richards reached her fifty off 56 balls. A 50-stand between Davidson-Richards and Aylish Cranstone gave the Stars a platform, and they capitalized on sloppy fielding and loose bowling from the Diamonds.Davidson-Richards pulled Beth Langston for six but was caught the next ball. Jones fell just short of a maiden senior fifty, caught by Erin Burns.The Diamonds' chase got off to a disastrous start as Tilly Corteen-Coleman dismissed Lauren Winfield-Hill. Stonehouse then took three wickets in quick succession, including opener Emma Marlow and Langston. Franklin bowled Sterre Kalis, leaving the Diamonds reeling at 30 for 5.Turner resisted with a career-best 49, but Stonehouse returned to complete her 10-over allocation. Spinners Dani Gregory and Kalea Moore (3 for 10) wrapped up the Stars' victory.The Stars will now host a semi-final, while the Diamonds will reflect on a disappointing end to their campaign.

South East Stars emerged victorious in a dominant five-wicket triumph over The Blaze at Derby, solidifying their aspirations for a second Charlotte Edwards Cup title. The Stars' bowling attack proved formidable, dismissing The Blaze for a mere 84 runs, marking the first defeat in 16 points-table matches for Kirstie Gordon's team since their rebranding from Lightning two years ago.Alexa Stonehouse led the Stars' bowling charge with three wickets for 13 runs, while Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Dani Gregory, and Tilly Corteen-Coleman each claimed two wickets. England's Sarah Glenn top-scored for The Blaze with 21 runs from 24 balls.In response, Emma Jones' unbeaten 30 from just 25 balls guided the Stars to victory with 29 balls to spare. The Blaze's innings had a disastrous start, losing three wickets in the first two overs and a fourth in the fifth. Corteen-Coleman dismissed Tammy Beaumont leg before, while Stonehouse removed Marie Kelly and Sarah Bryce in a double-wicket maiden.Heather Graham's dismissal in the fifth over left The Blaze reeling at 12 for four. Kathryn Bryce and Ella Claridge fell cheaply, and Josie Groves was caught off Gregory's bowling, leaving The Blaze at 66 for 7. Glenn's resistance ended with a bowled dismissal by Corteen-Coleman, and Gordon and Lucy Higham holed out to mid-on.Despite missing key run-getters Paige Scholfield and Sophia Dunkley, the Stars never looked in danger of defeat. They lost Bryony Smith early, but Jones' three boundaries in the 14th over brought the target within reach. Glenn claimed two wickets, but Jones sealed the victory with a six over Gordon's head in the next over.The Stars' triumph sets up a potential rematch with The Blaze in next Saturday's Final on the same ground, with both teams already qualified for the semi-finals.