The Vipers took the top spot, coming back after a rocky start in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2023 season. The Blaze lost momentum and the Sparks fell short, meaning Thursday's eliminator is between South East Stars and the Blaze.
Not Another One…
Thrashing the Blaze by 126 runs, the Southern Vipers secured their place in yet another domestic final. Bolstered by their England stars, the Vipers batting first ending 288 all out. Maia Bouchier and Georgia Elwiss dominated the runs, scoring 64 each but Emily Windsor also managed to reach a half century. Grace Ballinger shone with the ball taking 4-fer while teenager, Josie Groves took 3/64.
Returning from the Caribbean Premier League, Marie Kelly scored 56 but a series of single figure scores meant that the Blaze found themselves 162 all out. Youngster Mary Taylor stepped up once again for the Vipers, finishing with figures of 3/15.
The great victory takes the Vipers straight to the final at Northampton where they will face the eliminator winner.
Stars Eliminate Sparks
In another dominant game, the Stars thumped the Sparks to reach the eliminator. Both sides were so close to the knockouts, but match proved how deserving they were to reach Thursday’s game after their 152-run win. After Stars’ opener, Kira Chathi scored 61, Bryony Smith went on to just fall short of a century. Chloe Hill contributed 34 before being run out, taking the side to 283/7.
New Zealand international, Maddy Green, top scored for the hosts with 39 but the Sparks finished 131 all out. Ryana MacDonald-Gay and Alice Davidson-Richards took three wickets apiece while the wickets were spread out elsewhere.
Sunrisers Peak Too Late
Reduced to 18 overs per side due to heavy rain in Durham, The Northern Diamonds put on 114/6 with recent England debutant, Bess Heath, reaching 37.
The game seemed to be in the Diamonds' hands with the Sunrisers requiring 21 runs from the final two overs. Flo Miller and Jo Gardner held a crucial partnership to see the Sunrisers over the line for the fourth consecutive game.
Importantly, it gave Sunrisers their best finish in the history of the tournament.
Thunder Overpowers the Storm
Changing plans and tactics for their final dead rubber, Western Storm opened the batting with Emma Corney and Sophia Smale. Despite the unorthodox line up, both openers went on to make half centuries, skipper Sophie Luff joining them among the runs. Olivia Bell and Liberty Heap took three wickets apiece but the Storm still managed to reach a competitive 250/7.
However, Thunder turned up with the bat, Naomi Dattani contributing 82 and crucially, skipper Ellie Threlkeld, scoring 107* to secure the win. Sophia Smale contributed highly as she also took 2/21 after 10 overs.
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