Cricket

Northern Diamonds emerged victorious in a thrilling Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy match against Western Storm, securing a six-wicket triumph via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method.Chasing a revised target of 199 in a rain-affected encounter, Diamonds skipper Hollie Armitage led the charge with an unbeaten century. Her 101-run knock, studded with nine fours and a six, proved pivotal in guiding her team to victory.Armitage received crucial support from Sterre Kalis (34) and Erin Burns (21*), who contributed valuable runs in the middle order. The Diamonds' chase was aided by two dropped catches, with Armitage being reprieved on 23 and 53.Earlier, Western Storm had posted a competitive 200-5 after losing the toss. Fran Wilson anchored the innings with a well-crafted 61, while Emma Corney (40) and Nat Wraith (34) made significant contributions. Amanda-Jade Wellington provided a late flourish with a quickfire 27.Abi Glen was the standout bowler for Diamonds, claiming 2 for 24 in her six-over spell.The match was characterized by rain interruptions, which forced a reduction in overs and set the tone for a tense and unpredictable contest.Armitage's captain's knock and the Diamonds' resilience in the face of adversity proved decisive in securing the victory. The result sees them close the gap on leaders Southern Vipers in the standings.

Northern Diamonds' Hollie Armitage produced a scintillating performance, smashing a career-best 97 off 64 deliveries, to power her team to a 28-run victory over Western Storm in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. The match, played at Headingley, was a dead rubber, but the Diamonds showcased their dominance with a commanding display.Armitage's innings was a masterclass in batting, featuring 14 boundaries and two towering sixes. She forged a formidable opening partnership with Emma Marlow, contributing 97 runs before Marlow departed for nine. Armitage continued her onslaught, reaching her half-century in just 30 balls and dominating the Storm's bowling attack.Western Storm's bowlers struggled to contain Armitage's aggression, with Ellie Anderson conceding five boundaries in a single over. The Diamonds' innings was a testament to Armitage's exceptional form, as she propelled her team to a formidable total of 146 for three.In response, Western Storm's chase faltered from the outset. Rachel Slater's incisive bowling accounted for Dani Gibson and Nat Wraith in the first over, leaving Storm reeling at one for two. Emma Corney and Fran Wilson attempted to rebuild the innings, but their partnership was broken by Sophia Turner's dismissal of Corney.Katherine Fraser and Katie Levick further tightened the screws on Storm, with Fraser removing Wilson and Levick dismissing Sophie Luff. Turner and Levick shared the remaining wickets, as Storm were restricted to 118 for seven, falling 28 runs short of their target.Armitage's magnificent innings, coupled with the Diamonds' disciplined bowling performance, secured a comfortable victory. The match was witnessed by several former Yorkshire players, including England legend Katherine Sciver-Brunt, who was recently honored with an OBE.

Southern Vipers' Charlie Dean orchestrated a remarkable comeback victory against Northern Diamonds in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, securing a crucial win that bolsters their chances of reaching the finals day.Chasing a modest target of 146, Vipers found themselves in dire straits at 29 for 4. However, Dean, celebrating her 22nd birthday, played a scintillating knock of 64 off 38 deliveries, guiding her team to a five-wicket triumph.Dean's innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, peppered with nine boundaries. She struck three consecutive fours off Katherine Fraser to reach her maiden Charlotte Edwards Cup fifty in just 29 balls. Her match-winning knock eclipsed her previous best of 60 for the region.Northern Diamonds had earlier posted a competitive 145 for 4, thanks to a classy 69 from Hollie Armitage. The birthday girl anchored the innings, sharing half-century partnerships with Sterre Kalis and Bess Heath.Despite the early wickets, Vipers' experienced lineup, featuring eight England internationals, struggled to gain momentum. Maia Bouchier and Charli Knott fell cheaply to Rachel Slater, while Erin Burns' spin proved troublesome for Georgia Adams and Freya Kemp.Danni Wyatt provided some stability with a 28-ball 28, but it was Dean's heroics that turned the tide. With Elwiss providing support, Dean took the game by the scruff of the neck, hitting the winning runs with seven balls to spare.Vipers' victory keeps them in contention for a place in the finals day, while Diamonds' hopes of qualifying are dashed. The defending champions now have five wins from six matches, while Diamonds remain winless after three games.

Northern Diamonds finally broke their losing streak in the Charlotte Edwards Cup with a hard-fought 13-run victory over Central Sparks at Edgbaston. The Diamonds, who had lost their first five games, defended a modest total of 137 for 7 to hand Sparks their third consecutive defeat.The Diamonds' innings was a tale of two halves. Hollie Armitage (62 off 49 balls) and Sterre Kalis (43 off 39) put on a 97-run partnership, the second-highest ever for the Diamonds in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. However, the rest of the batting order collapsed, losing six wickets for 17 runs in 25 balls.Sparks' reply was led by England star Amy Jones, who made 39 off 30 balls. However, the Diamonds bowlers kept the pressure on, with all six bowlers taking wickets. Katherine Fraser was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3-0-12-1.The win was a much-needed boost for the Diamonds, who had struggled for form in the early stages of the tournament. It also ended Sparks' winning streak and kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.

In a thrilling Charlotte Edwards Cup encounter at Wantage Road, Sunrisers emerged victorious over Northern Diamonds by four wickets, thanks to a valiant captain's knock from Grace Scrivens.Chasing a modest target of 124, Sunrisers faced a slow pitch and a disciplined Diamonds bowling attack. Despite losing six wickets along the way, Scrivens remained resolute, guiding her team to a nail-biting victory with an unbeaten 64.Diamonds skipper Hollie Armitage had earlier provided a solid foundation with a 39-run knock, but the visitors struggled to accelerate on the slow surface. Mady Villiers and Nicola Hancock shared four wickets between them, restricting Diamonds to 123 for 8.Sunrisers' chase began cautiously, with the team struggling to keep up with the required run rate. Gardner's six off Grace Hall provided a brief spark, but her dismissal triggered a collapse. Villiers, Griffiths, and Grewcock all fell in quick succession, leaving Scrivens with a daunting task.Undeterred, Scrivens took the game into the final over, needing 11 runs to win. She calmly dispatched Erin Burns for two boundaries, setting up a thrilling finish. With two runs required off the last ball, Scrivens smashed a boundary down the ground to seal the victory.Armitage was Diamonds' most successful bowler, claiming three late wickets for 16. However, it was Scrivens' unwavering determination and match-winning innings that proved decisive for Sunrisers.

Northern Diamonds emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Western Storm in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, securing a 10-run triumph at Headingley.After being inserted to bat, the Diamonds faced an early setback, losing five wickets for 89 runs. However, England star Hollie Armitage stepped up to the plate, leading a remarkable fightback with a magnificent 103 off 114 deliveries, including 13 boundaries. Her innings laid the foundation for the Diamonds' eventual total of 275 for 9.All-rounder Abi Glen also played a crucial role, contributing an unbeaten 53 off 46 balls, her maiden regional fifty. Glen's late surge, coupled with Armitage's heroics, propelled the Diamonds to a competitive score.In response, Western Storm made a promising start, with openers Sophia Smale and Alex Griffiths putting on 59 runs. However, the Diamonds' bowlers gradually tightened their grip, with Phoebe Turner claiming three wickets and Erin Burns dismissing two batters in quick succession.Despite a valiant effort from Natasha Wraith (27) and Niamh Holland (29), Storm's chase faltered as Glen and Sophia Turner bowled them out for 265 in the final over. Glen finished with three wickets, while Turner took two, including the crucial dismissal of Lauren Filer to seal the victory.Armitage's century and Glen's all-round performance proved decisive for the Diamonds, who secured their second consecutive win after their triumph over Thunder on Saturday. The victory also marked a significant improvement for Storm, who had suffered a heavy defeat in their opening match against Sunrisers.

Northern Diamonds' experienced trio of Katie Levick, Lauren Winfield-Hill, and Hollie Armitage led the team to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Thunder in their opening match of the season at Chester-le-Street.Levick, a veteran legspinner, spearheaded the Diamonds' bowling attack, claiming 4 for 38 as Thunder was dismissed for 165 in 43.1 overs. The visitors' innings was anchored by Seren Smale's 32, but they struggled to build substantial partnerships.In response, Winfield-Hill and Armitage, both England internationals, guided the Diamonds to a comfortable victory with unbeaten half-centuries. Winfield-Hill struck 69*, while Armitage contributed 61* as the hosts reached the target in just 34.3 overs.Thunder's batting woes began early when Emma Lamb was dismissed for a duck by Jessica Woolston. Smale showed some resistance, but she lacked support from her teammates. Australian debutant Katie Mack made a promising start with 19, but she was trapped in front by Abi Glenn.Glenn then bowled Fi Morris for a first-ball duck, leaving Thunder reeling at 40 for 3. The umpires were kept busy as both Ellie Threlkeld and Smale departed leg-before, with Smale's 32 being the highest score of the innings.Levick turned the screw, taking the last three wickets to fall and finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 38 from 9.1 overs. Thunder's total of 165 proved to be well below par.Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis attacked from the outset of the Diamonds' innings, putting pressure on Thunder's bowlers. Phoebe Graham and Mahika Gaur bowled tightly, but they failed to make a breakthrough until the 14th over when Kalis was caught for 28.Armitage joined Winfield-Hill at the crease, and the pair put on a match-winning partnership. They attacked Thunder's bowlers, particularly Norris and Morris, with some powerful hitting. Winfield-Hill reached her half-century, and Armitage followed suit in the 34th over.The century partnership was completed shortly before the winning runs were hit, leaving Winfield-Hill and Armitage unbeaten at the close. The Diamonds secured a bonus-point victory, setting the tone for a promising start to their season.