Cricket

Sunrisers, once the perennial underdogs of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, have emerged as the final regional champions of the tournament. Their remarkable turnaround culminated in a 27-run DLS victory over South East Stars, a testament to their newfound resilience and determination.Kate Coppack, a formidable new-ball bowler, played a pivotal role in dismantling the Stars' top order. Her career-best figures of 4 for 27 left the Stars reeling at 53 for 4. Alice Davidson-Richards, however, provided a glimmer of hope with a valiant 93, forming crucial partnerships with Aylish Cranstone and Phoebe Franklin.Despite Davidson-Richards' heroics, the Stars were eventually bowled out for 212. Cordelia Griffith, in scintillating form, then led the Sunrisers' chase with a blistering half-century. Her 54-ball 57, adorned with elegant cover drives and powerful pulls, propelled the Sunrisers to a comfortable position.As the rain intensified, the match was halted with the Sunrisers well ahead of the DLS par score. Their victory marked a historic moment, as they became the last team to lift the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in its regional format.Sunrisers' triumph is a testament to their unwavering spirit and the exceptional performances of their players. Coppack's accuracy and Griffith's explosive batting proved to be the difference-makers in their remarkable journey from wooden spoon winners to regional champions.

The South East Stars have secured their place in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final after a thrilling three-wicket victory over the Southern Vipers in a semi-final that went down to the wire.The Vipers posted a competitive 220 for 9 from their 50 overs, with Nancy Harman top-scoring with 38. Tilly Corteen-Coleman was the pick of the Stars' bowlers, claiming 3 for 33.The Stars' chase got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets for just 10 runs. However, a remarkable partnership of 90 from 86 balls between Alice Davidson-Richards and Kalea Moore turned the tide in their favor.Davidson-Richards, who was dropped on 31, remained unbeaten on 90, while Moore contributed an unbeaten 52. The duo's heroics propelled the Stars to victory with just seven balls to spare.The Vipers' innings was anchored by Harman and Alice Monaghan, who put on a 48-run partnership for the seventh wicket. However, Corteen-Coleman and Davidson-Richards combined to dismiss both batters in quick succession.The Stars' chase was also marked by a crucial dropped catch by Naomi Dattani, who spilled a simple chance offered by Davidson-Richards when she was on 31. This proved to be a pivotal moment in the match, as Davidson-Richards went on to play a match-winning knock.The Stars will now face the Sunrisers in the final at Grace Road on Saturday, while the Vipers' season comes to an end.

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 secured a crucial victory over Central Sparks in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, boosting their chances of reaching the semi-finals. Batting first, Stars amassed an impressive 270 all out, thanks to a 127-run partnership between Kira Chathli (80) and Alice Davidson-Richards (70). Katie George and Charis Pavely claimed four and three wickets, respectively, for Sparks.Sparks' chase got off to a shaky start, losing four wickets within the first 13 overs. However, Davina Perrin (50), Chloe Brewer (54), and Bethan Ellis (57) staged a valiant recovery, keeping their team in contention. Despite their efforts, Sparks fell short by 20 runs, finishing on 250 for 9.The victory puts Stars on the brink of a semi-final berth. They need only to win their final game against Northern Diamonds to secure their place in the last four. However, a defeat could potentially see them edged out if Sunrisers manage a bonus-point win over Southern Vipers.Stars' innings began with an early wicket, but Alexa Stonehouse and Phoebe Franklin steadied the ship with a 70-run partnership. Chathli and Davidson-Richards then took control, punishing the Sparks bowlers with a flurry of boundaries. George's three quick wickets slowed Stars' momentum, but Priyanaz Chatterji's late cameo ensured a strong total.Sparks' top order struggled against the Stars' bowling attack, with Tilly Corteen-Coleman claiming two early wickets. Perrin's half-century provided a glimmer of hope, but her dismissal triggered a collapse. Brewer and Ellis rebuilt, but their efforts ultimately proved insufficient.

In a dominant display, Thunder thrashed South East Stars by a massive 120 runs in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Beckenham. England's Kate Cross played a pivotal role, claiming a List A best of 6 for 40, while Seren Smale and Fi Morris led Thunder's batting charge.Thunder opted to bat first on a sluggish Beckenham pitch and posted a formidable 250 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. Smale anchored the innings with a top score of 76, while Morris contributed a valuable 54. Ryana MacDonald-Gay emerged as the Stars' most effective bowler, bagging three wickets for 42 runs, including a run out. Kalea Moore also chipped in with two wickets.However, it was Cross who wreaked havoc on the Stars' batting lineup. She dismissed key batters Bryony Smith and Alice Davidson-Richards in consecutive deliveries, leaving the Stars reeling at 12 for 2. Despite a valiant 54 from Kira Chathli, the Stars never truly threatened to chase down the target.Cross continued her demolition, claiming the wickets of Chloe Hill, Aylish Cranstone, and Phoebe Franklin. MacDonald-Gay and Paige Scholfield also fell prey to her devastating bowling, as the Stars were eventually dismissed for a paltry 130 in just 36.4 overs.Thunder's victory was a testament to their all-round performance. Smale and Morris provided a solid foundation with their substantial contributions, while Cross's exceptional bowling display proved decisive. The Stars, on the other hand, struggled to cope with Thunder's relentless pressure and were unable to mount a meaningful challenge.

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.

Southern Vipers' relentless bowling attack, spearheaded by Freya Davies' exceptional four-wicket haul, propelled them to a dominant seven-wicket victory over South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Davies, a former Stars fast bowler, unleashed her blistering pace to dismantle the Stars' batting lineup, restricting them to a meager 120 runs. Her incisive swing bamboozled Bryony Smith, Alexa Stonehouse, and Kalea Moore, leaving the Stars reeling at 22 for 4.Alice Davidson-Richards and Bethan Miles attempted to salvage the innings with a 35-run partnership, but Vipers' spin duo of Charli Knott and Ava Lee proved too formidable. Knott's clever offbreaks accounted for Miles and Aylish Cranstone, while Lee's guile deceived Davidson-Richards.Chloe Hill and Ryana Macdonald Gay provided some resistance with a 34-run stand, but Hill's unfortunate run-out and Dani Gregory's dismissal to Davies sealed the Stars' fate.In contrast to the Stars' struggles, Vipers' chase was a clinical display of batting prowess. Knott, in her penultimate appearance for the team, anchored the innings with a classy 57, guiding Vipers to the target in just 23 overs.Ella McCaughan and Georgia Adams contributed valuable runs, but it was Knott's elegant strokeplay that stole the show. Her ability to dispatch width with ease earned her a well-deserved half-century, her third for Vipers this season.The victory not only cemented Vipers' position at the top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table but also avenged their Charlotte Edwards Cup semi-final defeat to Stars.

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.

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.