Cricket

The Blaze emerged victorious in a thrilling Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy encounter against Western Storm, securing a five-wicket triumph at Cheltenham.Chasing a modest target of 218, The Blaze's pursuit began promisingly with Sarah Bryce's aggressive 61 off 54 deliveries. However, a mid-innings collapse left them reeling at 115 for 5.Enter Lucy Higham and Ella Claridge, who forged an unbeaten 105-run partnership to guide The Blaze to victory with 7.3 overs to spare. Higham's composed 62 off 60 balls and Claridge's steady 43 proved crucial in the chase.Earlier, Western Storm had posted 217 all out in 46.2 overs. Fran Wilson top-scored with 67, while Sophie Luff contributed 31. Kathryn Bryce was the standout bowler for The Blaze, claiming 4 for 20 from 8.5 overs.The victory lifts The Blaze to fifth place in the standings, while Western Storm remain rooted to the bottom after their fifth consecutive defeat in the 50-over format.

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.

In a thrilling encounter at Trent Bridge, The Blaze emerged victorious over Western Storm in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, thanks to a magnificent unbeaten century from South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk.Chasing a challenging target of 275, The Blaze found themselves in a precarious position at 137 for 6. However, de Klerk and wicketkeeper Ella Claridge forged an unbreakable 139-run partnership to guide their team to a four-wicket victory with 12 balls to spare.De Klerk, who has been in impressive form for The Blaze this season, played a captain's knock, striking 106 runs off 112 deliveries, including 12 boundaries and a six. Her innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, as she punished any loose deliveries with clinical precision.Claridge, who was making her first half-century in women's regional cricket, provided excellent support to de Klerk, scoring an unbeaten 64 runs off 75 balls. Her innings was characterized by a combination of power and finesse, as she found the gaps with ease and kept the scoreboard ticking over.Earlier, Western Storm had posted a competitive total of 275, thanks to a career-best 73 from Natasha Wraith. The wicketkeeper-batter shared a crucial 93-run partnership with skipper Sophie Luff, who contributed 37 runs. Chloe Skelton's unbeaten 29 helped Storm add valuable runs towards the end of their innings.The Blaze captain, Kirstie Gordon, was the pick of the bowlers for The Blaze, taking 4 for 40. Her left-arm spin proved to be a handful for the Storm batters, as she consistently found the right length and line.The victory was a significant one for The Blaze, who had lost four of their previous five matches. It also marked a return to form for de Klerk, who had struggled for runs in recent games.