Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy roundup: Sunrisers and South East Stars master chases to set up final

The Cricketer reviews the best of the action from the semi-finals in the 50-over competition in 2024

ECB Reporters Network | 14/09/2024 at 17:12

Headingley: Northern Diamonds 232-8, Sunrisers 234-3 - Sunrisers win by seven wickets

Half-centuries from captain Grace Scrivens, Cordelia Griffith and Jodi Grewcock steered Sunrisers to a maiden Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final appearance.

They chased 233 to beat 2022 champions Northern Diamonds by seven wickets in a one-sided semi-final at Headingley and will meet the South East Stars in next Saturday's final at Leicester.

Sunrisers held firm in a contest which swung back and forth, with opener Scrivens posting 56 off 73 balls, Griffith 68 off 89 off and Grewcock 63 not out off 68. The latter two posted season's best scores as victory was sealed in the 44th over.

Diamonds, aiming for a fourth 50-over final in the five-year regional era, posted 232 for 8 thanks to opener Emma Marlow's measured 63 added to 49 from Sterre Kalis and a late 32 not out from 15 balls for Phoebe Turner.

Six of the seven bowlers employed by Scrivens, including herself, struck before she confidently laid the platform for a chase all but finished off by a 134-partnership for the third wicket between Griffith and Grewcock. It was their region’s highest of the season.

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^{Sunrisers skipper Grace Scrivens hit a half-century for her team (Getty Images)}

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Beckenham: Southern Vipers 220-9 South East Stars 221-7 - South East Stars win by three wickets

The South East Stars are through to the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final, after a thrilling fightback against the Southern Vipers in their semi-final at Beckenham.

The Vipers had posted 220 for 9 from their 50 overs, Nancy Harman their top scorer with 38 and Tilly Corteen-Coleman taking 3 for 33 and the Stars looked dead and buried at 131 for 7 until a partnership of 90 from 86 balls between Alice Davidson-Richards and Kalea Moore turned the contest on its head.

Seven balls remained when Davidson-Richards hit Alice Monagan for a single to send the Stars through to the final.

Davidson-Richards, who was dropped on 31, finished on 90, while Moore was unbeaten on 52 and the Stars will now face the Sunrisers in Saturday's final at Grace Road.

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