Cricket

In a rain-shortened Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy match at Taunton's Cooper Associates Ground, Thunder emerged victorious over Western Storm by two runs via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern Method.Thunder captain Eleanor Threlkeld played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 69 to guide her team to a total of 216 for 9 from 50 overs. Alice Clarke contributed 41, while Grace Johnson chipped in with 23. However, three self-inflicted run outs marred Thunder's innings.Western Storm's Australian international Amanda-Jade Wellington proved to be a thorn in Thunder's side, claiming 2 for 28 from 10 overs. Mollie Robbins also impressed with 3 for 28, keeping things tight with her new ball and death bowling.Chasing a revised target of 71 from 20 overs, Storm appeared in control with openers Emma Corney and Sophia Smale getting them off to a solid start. However, the experienced duo of Sophie Luff and Fran Wilson failed to accelerate the scoring rate, leaving Storm short of the DLS requirement.As the rain intensified, umpires Mark Newell and Fiona Richards were forced to abandon the game with Storm on 69 for 2 after 20 overs. Luff and Wilson remained unbeaten on 16 and 13, respectively.Threlkeld's innings was a masterclass in adaptability, as she adjusted her game to the challenging conditions and the loss of wickets around her. Her unbeaten half-century ensured that Thunder had a competitive total to defend.Despite the disappointment of not being able to complete the match, Storm can take solace in the fact that they have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. With the season drawing to a close, they will be looking to finish on a high note in their remaining fixtures.

Western Storm's Chloe Skelton emerged as the hero at Radlett, propelling her team to a crucial 30-run victory over Sunrisers in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Skelton's exceptional five-wicket haul (5-29) proved instrumental in dismantling the Sunrisers' batting lineup, dealing a significant blow to their semi-final aspirations.The visitors, Western Storm, were initially put on the back foot by Sunrisers' bowlers. However, Amanda-Jade Wellington's counter-attacking 45 not out, supported by Skelton's valuable contribution, lifted Storm to a competitive total of 180.Sunrisers' chase began promisingly, with Cordelia Griffith (39) and Alice Macleod (48) establishing a solid partnership. However, Skelton's introduction turned the tide in Storm's favor. Her off-spin wizardry proved too much for the home side, as she claimed five wickets, including the crucial scalp of Macleod.Macleod's dismissal, courtesy of a stunning one-handed catch by Alex Griffiths, proved to be a pivotal moment. Storm's spinners, led by Skelton, tightened their grip on the game, restricting Sunrisers' scoring and eventually securing the victory with 10.3 overs to spare.This triumph marked Western Storm's fourth win of the competition, while Sunrisers' hopes of reaching the knockout stage now hinge on their final fixture against Southern Vipers.

Central Sparks' Eve Jones produced a scintillating century as they crushed Western Storm by 145 runs in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Jones' 130 and Abi Freeborn's unbeaten 89 propelled Sparks to a mammoth 297 for 3, their highest-ever total in the competition.Jones, in her 50th appearance, dominated the innings with 18 fours and a six. She shared a 189-run stand with Freeborn, who struck 12 boundaries in her 89-ball knock. Sparks' total eclipsed their previous best of 296 against Loughborough Lightning in 2021.Western Storm's chase was derailed by Sparks' spinners. Georgia Davis claimed a career-best 6 for 23, while Hannah Baker and Chris Pavely took 1 for 34 and 2 for 15 respectively. Sophia Smale's 53 was the only significant contribution for Storm, who were dismissed for a disappointing 152 in 33 overs.Jones' innings was a masterclass in batting. She punished loose deliveries and dominated the bowling attack. Her 130 came off 163 balls, and she was unfortunate to miss out on a career-best score. Freeborn provided excellent support, rotating the strike and finding the boundary regularly.Sparks' victory was a testament to their dominance in all aspects of the game. Their batting was relentless, their bowling was incisive, and their fielding was sharp. Western Storm, on the other hand, had a day to forget. Their bowling was wayward, their fielding was sloppy, and their batting lacked application.

Western Storm emerged victorious in a dominant display against Central Sparks in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, securing a resounding 182-run victory that propelled them up the standings and relegated their opponents to the bottom.Storm's innings was ignited by a scintillating 83 from Amanda-Jade Wellington, who struck 14 boundaries and two maximums in a blistering 53-ball knock. Her partnership with captain Sophie Luff (60) yielded an impressive 102 runs, guiding Storm to a formidable total of 284 all out in 49.5 overs.Katie George emerged as the standout bowler for Sparks, claiming 5 for 50, including a remarkable caught and bowled dismissal. However, Storm's batting depth proved too much to handle, with Wellington and Luff leading the charge.Sparks' reply began disastrously, losing wickets to the first two deliveries from Issy Wong, who is on loan to Storm. The collapse continued as they stumbled to 102 all out, with only Davina Perrin (42) offering any resistance. Chloe Skelton and Wong shared six wickets between them, dismantling Sparks' batting lineup.Storm's openers, Emma Corney and Sophia Smale, had earlier laid a solid foundation with a 92-run partnership. However, Sparks fought back with three wickets in quick succession, including the dismissals of Luff and Natasha Wraith.Wellington's half-century, which included a towering six over midwicket, injected momentum into Storm's innings. Luff's departure to a stunning catch by George did not deter Wellington, who continued her assault until she was dismissed in bizarre fashion, with the ball lodging in the wicketkeeper's visor.Sparks' chase was doomed from the outset, with Wong claiming two wickets in the first two balls. Perrin's valiant effort was in vain as the rest of the batting lineup crumbled. Skelton's late burst of 3 for 6 sealed the victory for Storm, leaving Sparks languishing at the bottom of the table.

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.

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.

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.

Western Storm's Heather Knight, fresh off a disappointing T20I series against Pakistan, showcased her form ahead of England's upcoming series against New Zealand with a commanding 66-run knock. Her innings propelled Western Storm to a 142-run total against Sunrisers, who were condemned to the wooden spoon in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.Knight's 74-run partnership with 20-year-old Emma Corney, who contributed a career-best 46, laid the foundation for Storm's competitive score. Despite Sophie Munro's impressive four-wicket haul for Blaze, Storm managed to post a challenging target.In response, Sunrisers' Grace Scrivens and Jo Gardner made a promising start, but their momentum was halted by a series of quick wickets. Scrivens fell for 26, while Gardner's aggressive 22 was cut short. Lissy MacLeod's first-ball dismissal further dented Sunrisers' hopes.Despite Jodi Grewcock's valiant 40, Sunrisers were unable to recover from their early setbacks. They fell 11 runs short of their target, ending their tournament as the bottom-placed side for the fourth consecutive year.Knight's performance was a timely reminder of her class and experience. Her ability to anchor the innings and score at a consistent pace proved invaluable for Western Storm. Corney's breakout knock also bodes well for the future of English cricket.

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.