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    Hollie Armitage's hundred rescues Diamonds, while Storm is dismissed
Hollie Armitage's hundred rescues Diamonds, while Storm is dismissed
Hollie Armitage led the way with a century. Source: Getty Images

Hollie Armitage's hundred rescues Diamonds, while Storm is dismissed

A remarkable 103 from New England star Hollie Armitage propelled Northern Diamonds to a remarkable 10-run comeback victory over Western Storm in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Headingley.

The Diamonds slipped to 89 for 5 in the 21st over before captain Armitage led the fightback to 275 for 9 during her 114-ball innings with 13 fours.

All-rounder Abi Glen also made a significant contribution with a late 53 not out off 46 balls, her maiden regional fifty, during the first half of an engaging contest. She later claimed three wickets with her seamers.

Dani Gibson took two wickets with the new ball, finishing with figures of 3 for 44 for Storm. However, it was Armitage who emerged triumphant in the contest between England teammates, leading her side to a second consecutive victory following Saturday's triumph over Thunder.

In response, Storm was in a strong position at 127 for 2 in the 23rd over, but ultimately fell to 265 all out in the last over, leaving them with a deficit of 12 to overcome for victory. While Armitage is likely to receive the majority of the attention, Phoebe Turner also deserves recognition for her three wickets, following her 32 runs with the bat.

Storm suffered a significant opening day defeat, with a margin of eight wickets, after being bowled out for 114 runs. This performance was much improved.

Storm made an impressive start, with Gibson's dismissals of openers Sterre Kalis and Lauren Winfield-Hill being particularly noteworthy. Both stumps were uprooted as the hosts fell to 50 for 2 after 10 overs.

Spinners Sophia Smale and Amanda-Jade Wellington also claimed three wickets, in a similar fashion to Gibson. Australian overseas legspinner Wellington was the most effective member of the Storm attack, with 3 for 30 from 10 overs bowled during the middle of the innings.

She successfully caught Bess Heath at point. Fellow Australian overseas Burns was bowled by a ball that was too close to her. Leah Dobson was caught by a diving Niamh Holland coming in from deep midwicket.

This left the Diamonds five down and still short of 100. However, Armitage demonstrated remarkable skill and precision.

Last month, the 26-year-old made her senior England debut as a concussion substitute in a T20I against New Zealand in Nelson. Western Storm's Gibson was also part of the same team.

Armitage, who has scored two of her three regional centuries against the Storm, demonstrated excellent batting technique, pulling with authority and driving with grace. Her performance was well supported by Phoebe Turner's 32 and Glen's late fifty.

She shared half-century stands with both for the sixth and eighth wickets, while reaching her century off 112 balls. She was subsequently caught at long-on two balls later off Smale as the innings drew to a close.

Glen achieved three runs off Lauren Filer in the final over, which cost 15 runs. However, the damage had already been done.

The Storm team did, however, positively commence their pursuit of 276. The opening pair of Smale and Alex Griffiths amassed 59 runs in 13 overs before the latter was dismissed by Phoebe Turner for 26.

Turner then bowled Smale for 35, but Fran Wilson and captain Sophie Luff were able to steady the team once more. They had amassed 47 runs and were well set at the crease when the off-spin of Australian bowler Erin Burns was introduced into the attack.

After eight balls, she had bowled both Wilson for 32 and Gibson for 5, leaving the score at 140 for 4 in the 25th over.

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