It was all to play for and Thunder took that chance. It looked like it would be Diamonds to take one of the remaining spots at finals day along with the Southern Vipers but it was Thunder who were triumphant.
Thunder is Coming to Finals Day
The War of the Roses – one of the most historic battles and this week, it delivered! Thunder had a huge task, requiring them to thrash the Diamonds in order to secure finals day qualification.
Diamonds chose to bat first after winning the toss but were bowled out for a mere 96. Scottish bowler Olivia Bell, in only her third game for the Thunder took 3/9 assisted by spinner Fi Morris and left-arm seamers Tara Norris and Mahika Gaur who took two wickets apiece.
Looking to secure the bonus point, Thunder chased down the total in the 15th over much thanks to a 42* from Fi Morris who had already starred with the ball. The win ensured that Thunder
A Quiet End in Canterbury
South East Stars finished with their heads held high as they beat Central Sparks in a dead rubber game at Canterbury. Batting first, South East Stars’ Bryony Smith and Phoebe Franklin scored 47 and 52 respectively to take the total to 176/6.
Sparks off-spinner, Georgia Davis continued her run of performers taking three wickets and off the back of her recent 4-fer, Bethan Ellis recorded two wickets to her name.
It was a mighty effort with the bat from Sparks as they only fell six runs short of the win. Katie George top scored with 53 from 34 balls and Erin Burns hit a quick 39 from 22, keeping Sparks’ winning hopes alive.
However, Bryony Smith starred once again – this time with the ball, taking 3/23, captaining her side to a win and placing South East Stars in 5th place to end the competition.
Blaze to Worcester via Wales
The Blaze head into finals day, comfortably at the top of the table, unbeaten. It’s a first ever finals day for any East Midlands team and they’ve made it there in style.
Western Storm had a moderate innings with no major stand out performances among the batters. It was Emma Corney who top scored on 23 from 32 deliveries and the Storm concluded on 134/7 with Grace Ballinger and Kathryn Bryce among the wickets.
The Blaze comfortably wrapped up the game at Sophia Gardens as once again Kathryn Bryce was among the action, scoring an unbeaten half century – 54 from 37 balls.
Vipers Cruise to Finals Day
With a last minute change in captaincy just before the game, the Sunrisers struggled against the Vipers. Only managing to make 114/7, Sunrisers lost three wickets within the first three overs as Linsey Smith took all three. It was an underwhelming performance by the Sunrisers however Cordelia Griffith stood out scoring 65.
It was a comfortable victory for the Vipers although Sunrisers’ Mady Villiers started the game positively taking 3/15 from her four overs. However, Georgia Adams steered Vipers’ ship scoring 63 and got the Vipers over the line and into the final.
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