Cricket

The South East Stars secured a dominant 44-run victory over the Sunrisers in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Beckenham on Sunday, thanks to a record-breaking partnership and a clinical bowling performance.Batting first, the Stars posted a formidable total of 258, with Bryony Smith (84) and Alice Davidson-Richards (70) sharing a historic 148-run stand for the third wicket. Jodi Grewcock was the pick of the Sunrisers bowlers with 3 for 43.In reply, the Sunrisers made a promising start, reaching 88 for 1. However, the dismissal of Jo Gardner (39) triggered a collapse, with Dani Gregory (3 for 47) and Smith (2 for 31) leading the charge. Alice Macleod top-scored for the visitors with 44, but they were eventually bowled out for 214.The Stars' innings was characterized by patience and resilience. Smith, dropped twice, played a measured knock, while Davidson-Richards reached her half-century with a stylish boundary. The pair's partnership laid the foundation for a strong total.The Sunrisers' chase began with a setback as Phoebe Franklin dismissed Mady Villiers for 11. Macleod and Gardner steadied the ship, but Gregory's dismissal of the former proved pivotal. A flurry of wickets followed, with Smith and Gregory claiming key scalps.Despite a late rally from Sophie Munro (12), the Sunrisers were unable to keep pace with the required run rate. Ryana MacDonald-Gay sealed the victory for the Stars, dismissing Kate Coppack for five.The result sees the Stars move above the Sunrisers in the standings. The competition now enters a break for the Hundred, with both teams looking to maintain their momentum upon its resumption.

South East Stars showcased their dominance in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, crushing Thunder by 82 runs in Blackpool. Bryony Smith and Paige Scholfield led the charge with scintillating half-centuries, propelling Stars to a formidable total of 283.Smith, facing the world's top-ranked seamer Kate Cross, displayed her class with elegant drives and a stylish push through the off side. She reached her half-century in just 56 balls, setting the tone for Stars' batting onslaught.Scholfield, the 28-year-old all-rounder, played a pivotal role, marshalling the innings and reaching her own half-century off a mere 50 deliveries. Her all-round brilliance kept the scoreboard ticking over.Thunder's bowlers struggled to contain the Stars' batting prowess, with Ryana MacDonald-Gay emerging as the lone bright spot with four wickets. However, her efforts proved insufficient as Stars posted a daunting target.In the chase, Thunder's hopes were dashed early on as Emma Lamb and Katie Mack departed cheaply. Seren Smale provided some resistance with a brisk 30, but MacDonald-Gay's bowling brilliance proved too much for the Thunder batters.Fi Morris and Ellie Threlkeld briefly kept Thunder in the hunt with a patient partnership, but Stars' bowlers seized the initiative with a flurry of wickets. MacDonald-Gay, Moore, and Smith combined to dismantle Thunder's batting lineup, leaving them 7.2 overs short of their target.South East Stars' comprehensive victory solidifies their position in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy standings, while Thunder remains in search of consistency.

Tash Farrant's remarkable return to cricket propelled South East Stars to a thrilling four-wicket victory over defending champions Southern Vipers in the opening match of the 2024 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Farrant, who had been sidelined for nearly two years with stress fractures of the back, made a career-best 94, sharing a record-breaking 165-run stand with skipper Bryony Smith. The hosts chased down Vipers' competitive total of 273 with just three balls to spare.Vipers got off to a solid start with an 80-run opening partnership between Ella McCaughan and Charli Knott. However, Ryana MacDonald-Gay broke the stand with a stunning catch to dismiss Knott. Georgia Elwiss and Freya Kemp kept the scoreboard ticking, but Bethan Miles and Sophia Dunkley picked up crucial wickets to restrict Vipers to 273.In reply, Farrant and Smith dominated the Stars' innings, putting on a century partnership before Smith was dismissed for 64. Farrant continued to impress, reaching 94 before being trapped lbw by Knott.Dunkley's composed unbeaten 48 guided Stars home amid rising tension. The England batter hit the winning runs with a scrambled leg bye in the final over.Knott was the standout performer for Vipers, taking 2 for 35 and keeping the Stars' batters in check. However, Farrant's brilliance and Dunkley's composure proved too much for the reigning champions.