Mady Villiers' persuasive performance proved too much for an under-strength and out-of-form The Blaze as Sunrisers secured a seven-wicket victory in a rain-shortened encounter at Chelmsford.
In a disappointing display, England's white-ball international, Mady Villiers, returned 3 for 18 from nine overs. This performance contributed to the visitors' defeat, who were routed for 87 in a game reduced to 42 overs a side due to inclement weather and the absence of several key players.
England U19 Jodi Grewcock was successful in taking one wicket from eight overs at the other end from Villiers, resulting in the Blaze losing four wickets for four runs. This led to a collapse from 48 for 2 to 52 for 6. Australian seamer Nicola Hancock then completed the dismissal of the remaining batsmen, taking three wickets for 20 runs.
Sunrisers encountered a few early challenges, but skipper Grace Scrivens' unbeaten 46 proved pivotal in securing victory in the 21st over. Villiers made the winning runs in a fitting finale.
The start of the match was delayed due to overnight and morning rain, which fell until noon. The weather was overcast and the pitch had a generous covering of grass, which made it unsurprising that Scrivens invited The Blaze, a side dismissed for 135 and 126 in their opening two defeats, to bat first.
Marie Kelly, who was dismissed for a duck in her previous appearance, was given an early opportunity to score when Cordelia Griffith dropped a regulation catch at slip, allowing Hancock, the unlucky bowler, to take the wicket. However, Kelly failed to capitalise on the reprieve, being bowled by Hancock in the next over with a delivery that came back through the gate.
Similarly, the other opener, Teresa Graves, was dismissed by Kate Coppack eight balls later, leaving The Blaze 18 for 2.
Daisy Mullan and Nadine de Klerk attempted to mount a comeback, with Mullan driving Hancock straight for four before striking another boundary over the top of mid-off.
However, the introduction of spinners Villiers and Grewcock proved to be a pivotal move. Villiers successfully trapped de Klerk in front before bowling Mullan, who had become frustrated and had lost her momentum.
Grewcock made a significant contribution by removing wicketkeeper-batter Ella Claridge, while Villiers took her figures to 3 for 3 when fellow England spinner Sarah Glenn bowled Amara Carr.
The team's performance declined further with the addition of 52 runs to the scoreboard, resulting in a challenging situation. Hancock and Coppack were able to contribute to the team's recovery by eliminating the remaining players in the batting order. Blaze's Kirstie Gordon was the only other player to reach double figures.
The Sunrisers, who had been bowled out for 150 in a heavy defeat to the Thunder three days earlier, initially made the chase a challenging one.
Ariana Dowse was undone by a delivery from Grace Ballinger which kept low. Their next mistake was self-inflicted, Griffith setting off for a run which was never there and being run out after being sent back by her captain.
Scrivens and Grewcock provided a calming influence with an increasingly assertive stand of 40. Despite the latter's departure before the end, Sunrisers secured a decisive victory.