Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy roundup: Wins for the Stars and Diamonds as it rains again at Radlett

The Cricketer reviews the best of the action from the latest round of the 50-over competition in 2024

ECB Reporters Network | 07/07/2024 at 17:59

Cheltenham: Western Storm 200-5, Northern Diamonds 199-4 - Northern Diamonds won by 6 wickets (DLS Method)

Hollie Armitage scored a brilliant unbeaten hundred to guide Northern Diamonds to an impressive six-wicket victory over Western Storm on the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method in an entertaining Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy match at Cheltenham.

Chasing a revised target of 199 on a day when 41 overs were lost to rain, the visitors reached their target with 16 balls in hand thanks to a captain's innings from Armitage, who posted 101 from 76 balls with 9 fours and a six to help Diamonds close the gap on leaders Southern Vipers.

She received valuable support from Sterre Kalis, who contributed 34 in a third wicket stand of 71, and Australia international Erin Burns, who weighed in with 21 not out in an unbroken partnership of 67 in 6.5 overs for the fifth wicket. For their part, Storm were left to rue missed opportunities, having twice dropped Armitage on 23 and 53.

Blackpool: South East Stars 283, Thunder 201 - South East Stars won by 82 runs

South East Stars produced a superb display with bat and ball to ease to an 82-run Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy victory over Lancashire Thunder in Blackpool.

Bryony Smith and Paige Scholfield both made half-centuries as the visitors posted a strong total of 283.

Ryana MacDonald-Gay led the way with four wickets as Thunder were bowled out for 201, 7.2 overs short of their 50 overs.

Stars have now won five of their eight group games while Thunder still have just two wins under their belt.

Radlett: Central Sparks 27-0, Sunrisers - match abandoned

The Sunrisers and the Central Sparks managed just 6.3 overs as their Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy contest was abandoned at Radlett due to rain.

Sparks skipper Eve Jones (14) and Chloe Brewer (9) ensured their team scored 27 without losing a wicket before the downpour.

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^{Radlett played host to an abandoned game for the second day in a row (Getty Images)}

The umpires abandoned the game at 1.20 pm meaning the teams took two points each. This means the Sunrisers remain second while the Sparks are sixth two points behind The Blaze.

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