Australian Charli Knott continued to demonstrate her abilities with both bat and ball, contributing to Southern Vipers' first victory in their defence of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
For the second consecutive game, 21-year-old Knott achieved two wickets with her offspin bowling, but improved her score of 41 against South East Stars to an unbeaten 58, which contributed to a seven-wicket victory over Central Sparks.
Katie George's 52 helped Sparks avoid a collapse, allowing her side to reach 151 to defend. However, Ella McCaughan's composed 43, Maia Bouchier's refined 43, and Knott's composed innings provided Vipers with a straightforward bonus point victory.
Vipers only had one fast bowler in their attack, while Sparks were fully stocked with pace. It was the hosts that made the most of their resources with the ball. Sparks were 31 for 4 and then 84 for 7, after being unable to gain any ground as the Vipers kept taking wickets and building pressure.
Eve Jones was the first to depart, having been dismissed by Bouchier at mid-off in the sixth over. Knott then took her wicket in her first over, when Davina Perrin chipped to point.
Additionally, a family of red kites was observed at Wormsley, where they stole an orange from Hannah Baker and a banana from James Hibbard, the assistant coach of the visiting team.
Abbey Freeborn was bowled by Linsey Smith, with the visitors only reaching 27 in the first 10-over powerplay. Ami Campbell then thumped back at the left-arm spinner, but Smith was able to hold on. Smith's bowling figures of 2 for 20, with four maidens, were the most economical Vipers bowling figures.
Chloe Brewer had performed well and appeared to be in good form with her 23 runs. She then drove to Emily Windsor at cover, before Emily Arlott missed a Georgia Adams arm ball.
Issy Wong was selected to field at mid-off, but just as Sparks was preparing for a sub-100 score, George and Ria Fackrell added 77. George, who had been awarded five penalty runs after being struck by the ball by Charlie Dean, demonstrated complete control throughout her innings. She maintained a steady rhythm on the leg side and utilized the off side for more expansive shots.
She reached her third Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy half-century in 98 balls, with Fackrell accompanying her with 39 to reach a more defendable total. George was unable to maintain her momentum after raising her bat and picking out long-on, with Fackrell being run out in the final over as Sparks set 173 to win.
In response, Bouchier demonstrated her form from England's tour of New Zealand, where she scored 293 runs in eight innings, with numerous boundaries in a commendable 32-ball 33 before being adjudged lbw.
Queenslander Knott replaced her and was involved in another controversial incident. Wong initially claimed a boundary catch, but the Vipers contingent contested that she had stepped on the boundary rope. Following a constructive discussion, both teams agreed to a six-run rather than a wicket outcome.
McCaughan adopted a similar approach to George, with a watchful 43, and appeared to instruct her team to bat through. However, after a barrage of well-directed short balls from Wong, she pulled to square leg.
Knott continued with Georgia Elwiss in a 56-run partnership before the right-hander reached her milestone in 79 balls. The victory was secured shortly afterwards, despite Elwiss being given out leg before to Fackrell.