Cricket

The Blaze emerged victorious in the Charlotte Edwards Cup final, defeating South East Stars by a commanding seven wickets. Kathryn Bryce, the Scotland skipper, led the charge with a match-winning 62 off 44 balls, while her younger sister Sarah contributed an unbeaten 52 from 46 balls.The Blaze's triumph marked a significant achievement for the team, which had suffered heartbreak in both women's regional competitions last season. Captain Kirstie Gordon's strong leadership played a crucial role in their success, as they avoided a repeat of their defeat to Southern Vipers in the previous year's finals.Despite conceding 22 runs in the first over, The Blaze bowlers displayed discipline and skill to restrict Stars to 141 for 9. Australian allrounder Heather Graham claimed 3 for 16, while legspinner Josie Groves took 3 for 33. Georgia Redmayne top-scored for Stars with 25, but their total proved insufficient on a deteriorating surface.The Blaze's chase began steadily, with Kathryn Bryce and Tammy Beaumont forming a solid opening partnership. However, Beaumont was run out in a moment of brilliance by bowler Tash Farrant. Marie Kelly's dismissal left the score at 49 for 2 after six overs.Undeterred, Kathryn and Sarah Bryce forged a decisive partnership of 79 runs. Kathryn reached her fifth half-century of the competition in just 31 balls, while Sarah completed her own half-century off 45 balls. Kathryn's dismissal brought Graham to the crease, who sealed the victory with a boundary over mid-off.Kathryn Bryce's outstanding performance earned her the distinction of being the competition's leading runscorer, with an impressive tally of 477 runs. The Blaze skipper, Tash Farrant, also emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps.

In a thrilling semi-final of the Charlotte Edwards Cup, South East Stars emerged victorious over defending champions Southern Vipers by a narrow margin of five runs.The Stars' innings was anchored by Sophia Dunkley (49 off 34) and Georgia Redmayne (39 off 38), who shared a crucial 74-run partnership for the second wicket. Paige Scholfield's unbeaten 34 off 22 balls propelled the Stars to a competitive total of 162 for 5.In response, the Vipers got off to a strong start thanks to Danni Wyatt's 34 off 17. However, the Stars' bowlers, led by Tilly Corteen-Coleman (2 for 23) and Dani Gregory (2 for 25), kept the Vipers in check.As the match entered its final stages, the Vipers needed 21 runs from the last three overs. But Corteen-Coleman and Ryana MacDonald-Gay bowled two exceptional overs, conceding only 10 runs. The key moment came when Charlie Dean (43 off 29) was run out off Tash Farrant's second ball of the final over.Despite their valiant effort, the Vipers fell six runs short of their target, handing the Stars a hard-fought victory.

Southern Vipers, the reigning champions of the Charlotte Edwards Cup, showcased their dominance with a resounding 113-run victory over South East Stars. Maia Bouchier, the 25-year-old opener, led the charge with a career-best 93, propelling Vipers to a formidable total of 179 for 5.Bouchier's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as she dispatched the Stars' bowlers to all corners of the ground. She reached her half-century in just 27 balls, setting the tone for a high-scoring affair. Skipper Georgia Adams contributed 39, while Freya Kemp added a quickfire 30 at the end.In response, South East Stars' chase crumbled under the weight of Vipers' spin attack. Charlie Dean, Linsey Smith, and Charli Knott combined to take nine wickets, with Dean claiming 3 for 5 and Smith 3 for 12. Bryony Smith, the Stars' skipper, was the only batter to offer any resistance, scoring 22 before being stumped.The Stars' innings never recovered from the early loss of three wickets in the powerplay. Paige Schofield, Tash Farrant, and Kalea Moore all fell cheaply, leaving the Stars reeling at 44 for 6. Knott wrapped up the innings in the 14th over, dismissing Alice Davidson-Richards and Emily Jones in quick succession.The victory ensures that Southern Vipers will enter Finals Day in Derby on Saturday as one of the favorites to retain their title. Their dominant performance against South East Stars serves as a warning to their rivals that they are a force to be reckoned with.

South East Stars emerged victorious in a dominant five-wicket triumph over The Blaze at Derby, solidifying their aspirations for a second Charlotte Edwards Cup title. The Stars' bowling attack proved formidable, dismissing The Blaze for a mere 84 runs, marking the first defeat in 16 points-table matches for Kirstie Gordon's team since their rebranding from Lightning two years ago.Alexa Stonehouse led the Stars' bowling charge with three wickets for 13 runs, while Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Dani Gregory, and Tilly Corteen-Coleman each claimed two wickets. England's Sarah Glenn top-scored for The Blaze with 21 runs from 24 balls.In response, Emma Jones' unbeaten 30 from just 25 balls guided the Stars to victory with 29 balls to spare. The Blaze's innings had a disastrous start, losing three wickets in the first two overs and a fourth in the fifth. Corteen-Coleman dismissed Tammy Beaumont leg before, while Stonehouse removed Marie Kelly and Sarah Bryce in a double-wicket maiden.Heather Graham's dismissal in the fifth over left The Blaze reeling at 12 for four. Kathryn Bryce and Ella Claridge fell cheaply, and Josie Groves was caught off Gregory's bowling, leaving The Blaze at 66 for 7. Glenn's resistance ended with a bowled dismissal by Corteen-Coleman, and Gordon and Lucy Higham holed out to mid-on.Despite missing key run-getters Paige Scholfield and Sophia Dunkley, the Stars never looked in danger of defeat. They lost Bryony Smith early, but Jones' three boundaries in the 14th over brought the target within reach. Glenn claimed two wickets, but Jones sealed the victory with a six over Gordon's head in the next over.The Stars' triumph sets up a potential rematch with The Blaze in next Saturday's Final on the same ground, with both teams already qualified for the semi-finals.

In a thrilling Charlotte Edwards Cup encounter at Canterbury, the Central Sparks emerged victorious over the South East Stars by three wickets, thanks to a hat-trick and match-winning knock from Emily Arlott.Arlott's exceptional bowling performance, which yielded figures of 4-21, and Katie George's 2-31 restricted the Stars to a modest total of 122 for 8. Sophia Dunkley top-scored for the Stars with a gritty 58 from 49 deliveries.The Sparks' chase got off to a shaky start as 16-year-old spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman dismissed both openers in the third over. However, skipper Eve Jones (43) and Courtney Webb (31) steadied the innings with a crucial 59-run partnership.Corteen-Coleman's impressive spell continued as she claimed the wicket of Webb, but Jones remained resolute. With the Sparks needing eight runs from the final over, Arlott stepped up to the plate. She dispatched Tash Farrant's first two deliveries for boundaries, sealing the victory with four balls to spare.The match held special significance for the Stars, as it marked their final scheduled appearance at the Spitfire Ground with six Kent-raised players in their ranks. The crowd of 1,277 witnessed a captivating contest that showcased the depth of women's cricket in England.

South East Stars continued their dominance in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, securing a comfortable six-wicket victory over Sunrisers at Lord's. Paige Scholfield, the South African-born allrounder, extended her impressive form with an unbeaten 50, guiding her team to victory.Sunrisers struggled to establish a solid foundation, losing wickets at regular intervals. Skipper Grace Scrivens and Alice Macleod departed early, while Jo Gardner's brief stay at the crease ended with a dismissal to Alexa Stonehouse. Mady Villiers provided some resistance with a quickfire 14, but her departure left Sunrisers reeling at 27 for 4.Flo Miller emerged as the lone bright spot for Sunrisers, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 39. However, her efforts were not enough to prevent the team from being restricted to a modest 116 for 8. Emma Jones and Stonehouse were the standout bowlers for South East Stars, claiming two wickets each.In response, South East Stars made light work of the chase. Sophia Dunkley and skipper Alice Capsey got the innings off to a brisk start, before both fell to the bowling of Jodi Grewcock. However, Scholfield took control of the chase, playing with authority and composure. She reached her half-century with the winning hit, her eighth boundary of the innings.Despite a brief scare when Emma Jones was dropped, South East Stars cruised to victory, with Scholfield and Phoebe Franklin guiding them home. The win extends South East Stars' unbeaten run in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, solidifying their position as one of the favorites for the title.

South East Stars continued their dominance in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, securing a six-wicket victory over defending champions Southern Vipers at the Kia Oval. Leg-spinner Dani Gregory played a pivotal role, dismantling Vipers' middle order with a spell of 3 for 23.Vipers' innings got off to a shaky start as Alexa Stonehouse's accuracy kept them in check. Charli Knott departed cheaply, followed by Ella McCaughan. Georgia Adams provided some momentum with two boundaries, but her dismissal triggered a collapse. Gregory struck three quick wickets, including Georgia Elwiss, who was bowled attempting to swing across the line.Alice Monaghan and Rhianna Southby staged a late fightback with an unbroken 69-run partnership, but their efforts proved insufficient. Vipers posted 142 for 6, a total that seemed within reach for Stars.Paige Scholfield and Sophia Dunkley opened the chase cautiously, but gradually accelerated. Dunkley reached her half-century from 38 balls, while Scholfield followed suit from 33 deliveries. Despite losing Smith and Dunkley in quick succession, Stars remained in control.Phoebe Franklin sealed the victory with 11 balls to spare, securing Stars' fourth win in five games. Vipers, on the other hand, face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stage.Gregory's exceptional spell and the solid batting performances of Dunkley and Scholfield proved decisive in Stars' triumph. Vipers will need to regroup and find their form if they want to keep their title hopes alive.

In a thrilling encounter at the Seat Unique Riverside, South East Stars emerged victorious over Northern Diamonds in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, thanks to a remarkable bowling performance from 16-year-old Tilly Corteen-Coleman.Diamonds, who won the toss and elected to bat, made a promising start with openers Leah Dobson and Lauren Winfield-Hill putting on a 50-run partnership. However, the Stars' bowlers struck back with a vengeance, led by Corteen-Coleman's sensational spell.The teenager, who was only called up to the Stars' senior squad in April, picked up career-best figures of 5 for 19, including wickets from four consecutive balls. Her victims included key batters Sterre Kalis and Erin Burns, leaving Diamonds reeling at 88 for 4.The collapse continued as Diamonds lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs, with Corteen-Coleman completing her hat-trick in the final over. Dobson top-scored for Diamonds with a well-made 55, but her efforts were in vain as the hosts were bowled out for a paltry 124.In reply, the Stars made a confident start with Sophia Dunkley smashing a six in the third over. However, Diamonds fought back with Slater removing Dunkley for 25. Despite the wicket, the Stars continued to chase down the target with ease, aided by several dropped catches from Diamonds.Bryony Smith anchored the chase with an unbeaten 60, guiding her side to a six-wicket victory with four overs to spare. The win was the Stars' third in the competition, while Diamonds remain winless after four matches.Corteen-Coleman's performance was the highlight of the match, showcasing her immense potential as a future star of English cricket. Her ability to bowl with accuracy, variation, and pace proved too much for Diamonds, who were unable to recover from her devastating spell.

Torrential rain has washed out the Bank Holiday Monday clash between South East Stars and Western Storm at Beckenham, leaving both sides with two points.Only six overs were possible in the match, with Western Storm reaching 38 for 3 before the heavens opened, drenching the outfield and leaving pools of water on the bowlers' run-ups.Umpires James Tredwell and Fiona Richards gave the ground every chance to recover, calling for a 4.45pm inspection, but a further shower left them no alternative but to abandon the game.The result means that South East Stars remain unbeaten in the competition, while Western Storm are yet to win.In the little play before the rain, there was a lovely moment for Tilly Corteen-Coleman and a dazzling piece of fielding from Stars' all-rounder Paige Scholfield.England U19 slow left-arm spinner Corteen-Coleman, currently on a pay as you play contract with Stars, gave the hosts the perfect start, bowling Alex Griffiths with the first ball of the game.Shortly afterwards, Tash Farrant removed Emma Corney, the batter's attempted pull shot coming off the toe end of the bat for Phoebe Franklin to take a good catch falling forward at mid-wicket.Then just before the rain arrived, Niamh Holland, who'd struck some fine boundaries square of the wicket, chanced her arm on a short single to Scholfield and paid the price, the South African pulling off a direct hit despite only having one stump to aim at.