In a thrilling contest at Sale, The Blaze edged out Thunder by 24 runs to keep their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy campaign alive, despite a remarkable bowling performance from Lancashire's Fi Morris. Morris claimed a career-best 6 for 35, but Grace Ballinger’s impressive 4 for 23 for The Blaze helped seal the win. This loss dashed Thunder’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages.
The match saw The Blaze stumble to 197 all out after starting strong. Morris was introduced in the 30th over and her devastating spell pulled back The Blaze, who had been cruising earlier. However, Ballinger’s early breakthroughs set the tone for The Blaze’s victory, as she dismantled Thunder’s top order before they were eventually bowled out for 173 in the 46th over, despite a fighting unbeaten 53 from Tara Norris.
After being sent in to bat, The Blaze got off to a solid start, with Sarah Bryce and Michaela Kirk putting together a partnership of 66 off 87 balls. But their dismissals in quick succession shifted the momentum. Bryce was caught at mid-off for 34 attempting to clear debutant Darcey Carter, while Kirk was bowled for 29 by Hannah Jones’ second ball.
Further trouble followed for The Blaze when Marie Kelly edged behind for 7 off Phoebe Graham’s first ball in her second spell, leaving the visitors at 101-3 in the 24th over. Kathryn Bryce and Orla Prendergast tried to rebuild with a 34-run stand, but Morris’ introduction turned the tide, as she quickly tore through The Blaze’s middle order.
Kathryn Bryce, after scoring 31, cut Morris to gully, where Norris took the catch. Prendergast, who contributed 29, was trapped lbw sweeping at Morris, followed by Lucy Higham, who was also leg-before for just 4. Morris continued her dominance, bowling Ella Claridge for 6 and trapping Ballinger lbw for the same score. Cassidy McCarthy’s dismissal for 8 meant The Blaze lost their final seven wickets for just 62 runs.
On the chase, Ballinger struck early, dismantling Thunder’s top order with an outstanding spell of left-arm swing. She had Eve Jones caught for 0, Alice Clarke for 8, and bowled both Morris (10) and Dani Collins (0) in quick succession, reducing Thunder to 41-5 in 15 overs. However, Ballinger was forced off due to injury after completing seven overs.
Prendergast took over the attack, dismissing Seren Smale for 13, while Ellie Threlkeld fell to a pull shot for 10, and Carter was bowled by McCarthy for 11. Despite a spirited last-wicket stand of 50 between Norris, who smashed three sixes in an unbeaten 53, and Hannah Jones (17), Thunder couldn’t pull off the win. The Blaze wrapped up the match with 26 balls left, securing a crucial victory in their campaign.