In another round of Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy fixtures, there were a handful of debutants, some spectacular innings, huge victories and some movement in the table. The Blaze sit comfortably on 27 points with Sparks moving closer on 19. The Diamonds are also on 19 while Thunder and Western Storm sit at the bottom on 8.
Sparks push to 2nd place
Central Sparks enjoyed a win on the road as they beat the South East Stars by 21 runs. Birthday girl, Bethan Ellis, started the innings strong, scoring 42 but it was Issy Wong’s half century and Charis Pavely’s 57* which guided the Sparks to 246/8.
Stars all-rounder, Alice Davidson-Richards, was among the wickets, taking 3/46 and Ryana MacDonald-Gay took 2/49 – also returning from a stint with England A.
The Stars struggled with the bat however, Davidson-Richards and Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones’ 56 run partnership gave some hope. Sparks’ bowling, however, was superior, bowling the Stars out for 225. Katie George and Georgia Davis registered three wickets each while Erin Burns and Issy Wong took two apiece.
The Blaze stun the Northern Diamonds again
The Blaze hosted at Chesterfield for the first time seeking another win over Champions, the Northern Diamonds. The hosts secured an emphatic win over the Diamonds for a second time in the 2023 edition of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
As usual, the ever-present Lauren-Winfield Hill started strongly, adding 56 to the total. The rest of the order struggled however, the Diamonds being all out for 185. Sophie Munro was the pick of the bowlers offering three wickets but Cassidy McCarthy – on debut – took two, alongside Kirstie Gordon and Lucy Higham.
It was an easy watch as Tammy Beaumont and Sarah Bryce held and 156 run partnership to seal the win in the 25 over. This keeps the Blaze soaring at the top of the table on 27 points.
Thunder tie once again
There’s something in the water up north as Thunder tied a second Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy fixture – this time at Southport CC against the Southern Vipers. The Vipers posted 262 with Emily Windsor top scoring, just falling short of a half century, debutant Abi Norgrove also among the runs, scoring 48.
Thunder’s response was slow and Vipers looked strong with the ball with Ava Lee taking two wickets and Australian overseas star, Maitlan Brown with three wickets on debut. However, Thunder skipper, Ellie Threlkeld helped guide her side to the draw scoring 60 at a run a ball.
It was USA international Tara Norris who truly delivered with a spectacular 51* from 27 balls, sealing the draw for the hosts.
Comments