Cricket

The Blaze have continued their dominance over the South East Stars, securing a resounding 133-run victory (DLS method) in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Beckenham.Despite a rain-reduced innings of 44 overs, the Blaze amassed a mammoth 318 for 8, their highest List A score. Sarah Bryce led the charge with a superb 81, while Ella Claridge smashed a career-best 71 from just 45 deliveries. Marie Kelly also contributed a valuable 52.The Stars' chase was derailed by the brilliance of Heather Graham, who claimed an impressive 6 for 39. Alice Davidson-Richards offered some resistance with a defiant 44, but the Blaze's bowling attack proved too strong.The victory marks the Blaze's second consecutive triumph over the Stars in a major final, following their success in the Charlotte Edwards Cup just eight days prior.The Blaze's innings got off to a shaky start with the early dismissal of Teresa Graves. However, the Bryce sisters steadied the ship with a 94-run partnership. Kathryn Bryce was eventually dismissed for 30, but Sarah Bryce continued to anchor the innings.After a rain delay, Sarah Bryce fell for 81, but Claridge took over the mantle, launching into a blistering attack. She was eventually caught for 71, but not before Michaela Kirk had chipped in with a useful 18.The Stars' reply began disastrously, with Bryony Smith and Kalea Moore dismissed cheaply. Graham then wreaked havoc, removing Tash Farrant, Emma Jones, Aylish Cranstone, and Alexa Stonehouse in quick succession.Davidson-Richards provided some hope with her aggressive 44, but her dismissal to Graham sealed the victory for the Blaze. Danni Gregory was the final wicket to fall, caught by Cassidy McCarthy off Graham's bowling.The Blaze's victory is a testament to their depth and quality. They have now won three of the last four major domestic trophies in England.

The Blaze, led by an impressive Marie Kelly, secured a five-wicket victory over Central Sparks in a thrilling encounter at Edgbaston. This victory propelled Blaze to the top of the final table with nine wins in ten games, while Sparks dropped to fourth after Southern Vipers' bonus point win.Sparks' innings began cautiously, with Kirstie Gordon and Grace Ballinger restricting them to a modest 138 for eight. Abi Freeborn (39), Davina Perrin (37), and Amy Jones (36) provided solid contributions, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered. Josie Groves and Heather Graham each claimed two wickets, while Gordon and Ballinger chipped in with one apiece.In response, Blaze's Marie Kelly played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 89 off 63 deliveries. Her classy innings guided her side to victory in just 19.2 overs. Kathryn Bryce (27) provided valuable support, adding 106 runs with Kelly for the second wicket.Despite a slow start, Blaze's innings gained momentum as Kelly found her rhythm. She reached her half-century in 37 balls and continued to dominate the Sparks bowling attack. Sarah Bryce, Pavely, and Claridge all fell in quick succession, but Kelly remained resolute, ensuring her side's victory at her former home ground.

The Blaze, last year's Charlotte Edwards Cup runners-up, have secured their place in the Finals Day once again after defeating Northern Diamonds by 13 runs at Headingley. This victory marks their seventh consecutive win in the ongoing campaign.Blaze, who defended a target of 160, are the undisputed leaders of the table. However, they faced a challenge from Diamonds, who have struggled this season with six losses in seven games. Despite their valiant effort, Diamonds' hopes of qualifying for the showpiece day at Derby on June 22 now hang in the balance.Kathryn Bryce and Tammy Beaumont, both international players, played pivotal roles in Blaze's victory. Bryce scored an impressive 54 off 39 balls, while Beaumont contributed 45 off 33. Bess Heath, England's fringe wicketkeeper-batter, fought back for Diamonds with a blistering 59 off 32. However, the hosts' momentum was halted as they collapsed from 94 for 2 in the 12th over to 146 all out in the 20th.Sarah Glenn, England's legspinner, claimed 3 for 32, while Bryce added two wickets with her seamers. After the early dismissal of Teresa Graves, Bryce and Beaumont formed a formidable second-wicket partnership of 78, propelling Blaze to a strong position.Despite Beaumont's departure, Diamonds showed resilience. Allrounder Erin Burns assisted offspinner Katherine Fraser in removing Sarah Bryce and Heather Graham. Bryce, who had reached a dynamic fifty off 34 balls, was dismissed by legspinner Katie Levick. Ella Claridge was also bowled, leaving Blaze at 139 for 6.Grace Ballinger's dismissal of Lauren Winfield-Hill and Glenn's bowling of Hollie Armitage left Diamonds at a precarious 18 for 2 in the third over. However, Heath's aggressive batting, including five boundaries in her first 11 balls, gave Diamonds hope.The tide turned once again as Stere Kalis was caught behind off Glenn and Heath was caught at deep cover off Bryce. Four wickets fell for 26 runs, leaving Diamonds at 120 for 6 in the 15th over. Glenn and Bryce claimed further wickets to seal Blaze's victory.

The Blaze continued their impressive start to the Charlotte Edwards Cup with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Thunder at Loughborough.Thunder, put into bat, were lifted to a competitive 151 for 6 by a pugnacious fifth-wicket partnership of 73 from 50 balls between Emma Lamb (63*) and Ailsa Lister (44). Grace Ballinger led the Blaze bowling with 2 for 25.In reply, Blaze were guided to victory by a composed 61 from Kathryn Bryce. Mahika Gaur removed both openers early on her way to 3 for 39, but Bryce's timely intervention in the closing overs proved decisive.Thunder's innings began brightly, but they lost early wickets to Ballinger and Lucy Higham. Lamb and Lister then steadied the ship with a rapid half-century stand, but Lister's dismissal triggered a mini-collapse.Blaze's reply also started poorly, with Gaur removing Marie Kelly and Teresa Graves cheaply. However, the Bryce sisters rebuilt the innings with a 47-run partnership before Sarah Bryce departed.Nadine de Klerk provided a brief flurry with 14 from three balls, but her dismissal left Blaze needing 24 from the last four overs. Kathryn Bryce then took charge, smashing three consecutive sixes off Hannah Jones to put her side on the brink of victory.Ella Claridge finished the job with a cameo of 18 not out from 10 balls, securing Blaze's third successive win.

Central Sparks broke their 50-over jinx against the Blaze with a resounding 78-run victory in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy opener at Edgbaston.Sparks, who had never defeated Blaze in the format, capitalized on the visitors' depleted squad due to injuries and international commitments. Batting first, they posted a competitive 213 for 9, thanks to Abi Freeborn's 53 and Katie George's late cameo of 32.Blaze's reply was derailed by Emily Arlott's opening spell of 7-4-5-2, which reduced them to 14 for 3. Nadine de Klerk, fresh from her arrival from South Africa, offered resistance with 43, but Hannah Baker's three wickets proved decisive as Blaze's undermanned team crumbled.Sparks' innings began cautiously against de Klerk's economical opening spell. Eve Jones' dismissal trying to flick Grace Ballinger to leg set the tone for a series of starts that failed to convert into substantial scores.Chloe Brewer's reverse sweep for four off Kirstie Gordon was short-lived, as she fell lbw attempting the same shot. Davina Perrin's off-stump dismissal to Munro further tightened Blaze's grip.Marie Kelly's delivery deceived Ami Campbell, resulting in a stumping. However, Freeborn reached a composed half-century before perishing to Munro. George's late flurry provided some impetus, but de Klerk's yorker ended her innings.Sparks' bowlers dominated from the outset. Arlott's early wickets of Teresa Graves and Marie Kelly, followed by Issy Wong's lbw decision against Munro, left Blaze reeling at 39 for 4.De Klerk and Daisy Mullan steadied the ship with a 51-run partnership, but Baker's introduction proved pivotal. She removed both batters in quick succession, followed by Michaela Kirk's dismissal to deep midwicket.Central Sparks' emphatic victory sets the tone for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy season, while Blaze will need to regroup and address their injury concerns.