Cricket

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.

Sunrisers have secured their place in the knockout stages of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for the first time, defeating defending champions Southern Vipers in a thrilling rain-affected encounter.After failing to win a single match in the first three editions of the competition, Sunrisers narrowly missed out on qualification last year. However, this season, they have emerged as a formidable force, with their seventh victory of the tournament coming against the holders.Cordelia Griffith and Lissy MacLeod laid the foundation for Sunrisers' impressive total of 281, scoring half-centuries. Former Sunriser Naomi Dattani claimed a maiden five-wicket haul for Vipers, but her efforts were not enough to prevent Sunrisers from posting a challenging target.In response, Vipers were restricted to 88 for 8 in their 10-over chase of 94 under the DLS method. Despite a winless Hundred campaign, Vipers had already secured a semi-final berth but their hopes of a home tie were dashed by South East Stars' victory over Northern Diamonds.Dattani's bowling spells proved pivotal for Vipers, as she dismissed key Sunrisers batters Grace Scrivens and Jo Gardner. Her return to the attack also saw Jodi Grewcock and Eva Grey depart, while Rebecca Tyson and Ava Lee's tight spin kept the run rate in check.However, MacLeod and Flo Miller counterattacked with an enterprising 90-run partnership, with MacLeod reaching her first RHFT fifty since 2021. Miller also contributed a valuable 41 off 31 balls.In the final overs, Vipers fought back with wickets, but Sunrisers managed to post a competitive total of 281. Rain intervened during the interval, reducing Vipers' innings to just 10 overs.Despite the challenging target, Vipers started brightly, but wickets fell regularly, including those of Rhianna Southby, Ella McCaughan, and Dattani. Emily Windsor and Nancy Harman kept Vipers in the hunt with a 26-run stand, but their dismissals and a run out left Vipers needing 13 off the last over. They could only muster seven, handing Sunrisers a memorable victory.

Northern Diamonds emerged victorious in a thrilling last-ball encounter against Southern Vipers, securing a home semi-final berth in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Chasing a formidable target of 241 at Headingley, Diamonds overcame adversity to triumph by a single run.The Vipers innings was anchored by Georgia Adams' measured 82-ball 57, supported by contributions from Ella McCaughan (30), Georgia Elwiss (31), Emily Windsor (33), and Naomi Dattani (30). Despite losing three wickets for 30 runs, the Vipers managed to post a competitive total.Diamonds' chase got off to a shaky start with the early dismissal of Lauren Winfield-Hill. However, Emma Marlow (52) and Rebecca Duckworth (51) steadied the innings with a 91-run partnership. After both batters departed, Erin Burns (31) kept the scoreboard ticking.As the match reached its climax, Diamonds found themselves on the ropes at 216 for 9. Debutant Rebecca Tyson impressed with three wickets, but Katie Levick and Rachel Slater remained at the crease. With nine runs required off the final over, Slater hit the winning two to long-on, securing a dramatic victory.Levick's 13 runs and three wickets played a crucial role in Diamonds' triumph, while Adams' all-round performance (57 runs, 4 wickets) highlighted her impact for the Vipers.

Central Sparks' dominant performance against Southern Vipers has shaken up the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy standings. Sparks' seven-wicket victory at Worcester propelled them to the top of the table, while Vipers' lead has been significantly reduced.Vipers, depleted by international call-ups, struggled to post a competitive total. Georgia Elwiss' valiant 64* was a lone bright spot amidst a potent Sparks bowling attack. Emily Arlott and Charis Pavely wreaked havoc, claiming four wickets each.Sparks' chase was a clinical display of batting. Eve Jones (54) and Ami Campbell (48) laid the foundation with a 95-run opening partnership. Despite losing Campbell, Sparks cruised to victory with 64 balls to spare. Katie George's quickfire 38* sealed the deal.Vipers' struggles began with the loss of Rhianna Southby and Ella McCaughan to Arlott's incisive bowling. Georgia Adams and Emily Windsor also fell cheaply, leaving Elwiss to anchor the innings. However, Sparks' spinners proved too strong, with Hannah Baker, Pavely, and Georgia Davis chipping away at the Vipers' batting lineup.Sparks' victory highlights their potential, which has been hindered by inconsistent performances throughout the season. Vipers, on the other hand, face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages.

The Blaze's impressive bowling performance propelled them to a crucial 20-run victory over Southern Vipers in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, keeping their knockout stage hopes alive.Marie Kelly's gritty 40 anchored The Blaze's batting effort on a challenging pitch, while Ava Lee's career-best 4-51 on her 19th birthday proved instrumental in restricting Vipers.The Blaze's innings got off to a shaky start as Sarah Bryce and Georgie Boyce departed cheaply. Kathryn Bryce's six provided a brief respite, but Georgia Elwiss dismissed her to leave The Blaze struggling at 38-3.Kelly emerged as the lone beacon of stability, driving confidently and building partnerships with Prendergast (38) and Gordon (26). However, Vipers' spinners, led by Lee, kept chipping away, dismissing Kelly for 40 and claiming three more wickets in quick succession.Despite Boyce's return from injury, The Blaze's innings ended on 208, with Grace Ballinger contributing a valuable 24.Vipers' chase began promisingly with Rhianna Southby's composed opening stand. However, Prendergast's early strikes put Vipers on the back foot. Gordon's accurate spin bowling further stifled the chase, leading to Southby's run-out.Emily Windsor's patient 41 kept Vipers in contention, but Prendergast's return to the attack proved decisive. Windsor's dismissal triggered a collapse, with Vipers losing five wickets for 21 runs.Linsey Smith's chip to mid-off and Norgrove's stumping left Vipers needing 45 from the last 13 overs. However, Kathryn Bryce's dismissal of Lee sealed the victory for The Blaze.The win keeps The Blaze in the hunt for a knockout spot, while Vipers remain top of the table but missed out on an opportunity to secure their progression.

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.

Southern Vipers extended their dominance in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, securing a four-wicket victory over the in-form Blaze at Chesterfield. In a rematch of last season's final, Blaze aimed to continue their impressive run of 14 wins in 15 games across competitions. However, Vipers proved to be an insurmountable obstacle once again.Blaze posted a competitive 278 in 47.2 overs, with Heather Graham leading the charge with a well-crafted 78. Kathryn Bryce (65) and Sarah Bryce (48) provided valuable support. Mary Taylor emerged as the standout bowler for Vipers, claiming 3 for 32, including two wickets with successive deliveries.Vipers' chase was anchored by a century partnership between Georgia Elwiss (101 not out) and Abi Norgrove (64). The duo came together at a crucial juncture, with Vipers facing a precarious 124 for 4. Their composed batting guided Vipers to victory with four balls to spare.Blaze's innings began with an early setback as Teresa Graves was run out. However, the Bryce sisters steadied the ship with a 71-run partnership. Sarah Bryce's dismissal brought Marie Kelly to the crease, who formed another productive alliance with Kathryn Bryce. The fourth-wicket pair added 66 runs before falling in quick succession.Ella Claridge and Kirstie Gordon departed in consecutive deliveries to Charli Knott, but Graham revived the innings with a brisk half-century. She found the gaps with ease, particularly on the off side, to keep the scoreboard ticking.Vipers' reply started with the loss of Knott, but skipper Adams steadied the chase with two half-century partnerships. However, Blaze fought back with two wickets in four balls, removing Adams and Emily Windsor.With Vipers facing a potential collapse at 124 for 4, Elwiss and Norgrove stepped up to the plate. They played with composure and skill, accumulating a century partnership to put Vipers back in control. Kathryn Bryce briefly threatened a Blaze comeback with two wickets, but Elwiss remained resolute, reaching her century with a six over mid-wicket to seal the victory.

Southern Vipers, the reigning champions of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, secured a dominant bonus point victory over Western Storm at the 1st Central County Ground. The comprehensive win keeps the Vipers firmly in contention for a semi-final berth.Captain Georgia Adams led the Vipers' bowling attack with an impressive 3 for 17 from six overs. Seamer Mary Taylor also chipped in with three wickets, as Storm were dismissed for a mere 156 after being put into bat.In response, a masterful 65 not out from Georgia Elwiss and a solid 49 from Ella McCaughan guided the Vipers to victory within 30 overs.Storm's innings got off to a slow start, thanks to the disciplined bowling of Freyas Davies and Kemp. Davies, returning from successive stress fractures, claimed her first wicket in the fifth over.Storm skipper Sophie Luff and Emma Corney steadied the ship with a 40-run partnership before Taylor dismissed Corney for 20. Fran Wilson kept the scoreboard ticking over but was caught by Elwiss, while Luff was trapped lbw by Charli Knott.Nat Wraith attempted to counterattack but lacked support as wickets fell regularly at the other end. Amanda-Jade Wellington, Niamh Holland, and Alex Griffiths all departed cheaply.Wraith eventually fell for 31, and the Storm found themselves reeling at 148 for 8. The final two wickets fell in successive balls, as Chloe Skelton and Mollie Robbins were dismissed by Rhianna Southby and Taylor, respectively.The Vipers' reply began positively, with McCaughan and Knott scoring at a steady pace. However, McCaughan was dismissed for 20 in the eighth over, bringing Elwiss to the crease.Elwiss and McCaughan combined for a 73-run partnership, with McCaughan targeting wide deliveries and Elwiss favoring the off side. McCaughan was eventually trapped lbw for 49, but Elwiss continued to accelerate.Elwiss took three boundaries off Griffiths and another three off Wellington to bring the Vipers within striking distance of victory. Adams was dismissed for 10, but a boundary from Kemp sealed the bonus point win for the Vipers.

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.