Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy: Vipers remain in the lead, Diamonds, Sparks and Stars also triumph | Cricket News

Defending champions Southern Vipers prevailed in a low scoring affair against Thunder to retain first place in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy standings.

Vipers were beaten by the South East Stars in the Charlotte Edwards Cup final last week, but they responded to their disappointment at the T20 with a relentless three-wicket victory at Sale CC.

thunder were indebted to a tremendous overall performance from England international Kate Cross, who made a spirited 57 and posted numbers 2-34 from her ten overs, although that wasn’t enough.

Thunder vs Vipers Scoreboard

The hosts were in turmoil at 59-6, with Tara Norris (4-14), Paige Scholfield (3-16) and Lauren Bell (2-33) dealing the damage.

Cross’s half-century kept Thunder’s slim hopes alive, but Emma Lamb (17) – who made her England debut in the first T20 game against New Zealand – was the only other player to record any two-digit digits.

Thunder was eventually knocked out for 110 in 33 overs, although the Vipers floundered to 68-5, after Cross counted for their captain Georgia Adams and England teammate Georgia Elwiss.

Ella McCaughan (41) scored until trapped by Alex Hartley (2-28), before Emily Windsor’s 26 unbeaten lead the Vipers home with more than 16 overs left.

Diamonds sparkle against Storm

Hollie Armitage and Linsey Smith have produced stunning displays to inspire Northern diamonds to an overall success of seven wickets against Western storm.

Storm must have regretted an extraordinary collapse in the middle of the order as he went from 109-2 to 112-6, despite impressive cameos from Fi Morris (30) and Alex Griffiths (36).

Storm skipper Sophie Luff (65) had the highest score with an elegant half-century, sharing a seventh wicket stand of 61 alongside Chloe Skelton (30), although visitors were fired for 183 after that left-arm spinner Smith produced the best numbers in his career. of 5-34.

England opener Lauren Winfield-Hill (16) succumbed to Georgia Hennessy in the sixth plus of the Diamonds’ reply, but a stand of 61 at the second wicket between Armitage and Sterre Kalis (32) allowed the hosts to totally control.

Diamonds vs Storm Scorecard

Steph Hutchins (2-27) was Storm’s attacking choice, but Armitage (68 non) anchored the innings, and an undefeated 54 partnership with Bess Heath (32) completed a sparkling display from Diamonds, who remains second in the table.

Sparks fly past winless Sunrisers

Central sparks remains two points away from first place, thanks to a categorical victory Sunrise, who are still looking for their first victory of the competition.

The game was reduced to 42 tag overs in the rain earlier in the day, but a strong 69 from Cordelia Griffith helped the Sunrisers post a respectable 204-7 at Northwood.

Kelly continued her fine form to guide Sparks to a convincing victory over Sunrisers

Lissy MacLeod (46) and Griffith led the hosts to 144-1 at one point, but their momentum was interrupted by a flurry of wickets in the finals, with Ria Fackrell (3-30) and Sparks skipper Evelyn Jones (2- 31) among the wickets.

In response, Jones (31) and Marie Kelly (58) kicked off the visitor response with a stunning opening stand valued at 84, as Kelly continued her fine form with an enterprising half-century.

Gwen Davies also went 50 to bring Sparks to the brink of victory, and an unbeaten 22 from Thea Brookes saw them take the victory in 38th place, to win by six wickets via the DLS method.

Sunrisers vs Sparks scoreboard

Smith and Capsey shine for the stars

Fresh out of the Charlotte Edwards Cup last weekend, Southeast stars came out on top by 28 points in an entertaining case against Flash at Beckenham.

Bryony Smith (84 of 73) and Alice Capsey, 17 (78 of 73) continued their prolific form with the bat, before a quick inning from Kalea Moore (39 of 35) helped the Stars post a formidable 293- 9 of their 50 overs.

Yvonne Graves (3-43), Kirstie Gordon (2-37) and captain Kathryn Bryce (2-50) were among the wickets for the Lightning, who posted their highest total of the competition in response.

Alice Capsey hit 78 and took two wickets to cap another brilliant individual display

Stars vs Lightning scorecard

Bryce (87) produced superb innings before being exhausted at just 13 points of her century, while her sister Sarah (45 of 37) set the tone with a destructive blow.

Abi Freeborn (24) and Gordon (24) also provided fiery resistance to the visitors, but they were eliminated for 265 with four balls from their innings remaining as they remain fifth in the table.

Stars skipper Smith capped a stunning full display with numbers 3-46 from his ten overs, while Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards and Phoebe Franklin picked up two wickets apiece as the Stars kept the pressure on the fighter squad.