The Blaze 63 for 6 (Tryon 4-16) beat Northern Diamonds 62 (de Klerk 7-33) by four wickets
On a sunny morning in Chester-le-Street, The Blaze won the toss and elected to bowl. After a wayward first over from de Klerk where the South African conceded five penalty runs from her first ball, she quickly found her rhythm and removed Winfield-Hill and Armitage to halt a bright start from the Diamonds.
Sterre Kallis held out for 24 balls, but could not find a way to score off Ballinger and de Klerk. Eventually, Ballinger found a way through Kallis and struck her pad to remove the Diamonds batter for six. From there onwards it was a procession of wickets from the home side as de Klerk and Ballinger were rampant, producing a devastating spell of bowling to surge through the line-up.
Phoebe Turner scored two boundaries against de Klerk, but never seemed comfortable at the crease. She survived an early lbw shout, but was then pinned in front for eight. De Klerk had two in two when Tryon fended her first ball behind to Sarah Bryce to reduce the hosts to 42 for 5 at the end of the 11th over.
Bess Heath offered a semblance of resistance as she top-scored for the Diamonds with nine. It took a moment of brilliance in the field from Tammy Beaumont to dismiss Heath as she produced a brilliant diving catch at gully to de Klerk her fifth wicket. The Blaze had the end in sight and were able to run through the Diamonds tail with ease.
Ballinger bowled Abigail Glen with another super delivery, paving the way for de Klerk to notch her sixth and seventh wickets by dismissing Levick and Lizzie Scott.
The Blaze wasted no time in their chase as Marie Kelly took Scott’s first over for 14, whittling down the required target to only 48. Tryon halted the visitors’ progress by removing Kelly for 15 as she was caught at mid-on by Jessica Woolston. The South African returned to dismiss Beaumont and Georgie Boyce with a double-wicket maiden to put the pressure on The Blaze.
Levick claimed another two wickets, while Tryon notched her fourth to put the clamps on. But, Sarah Glenn and Lucy Higham were able to work their side over the line with four wickets in hand, ensuring there was no late drama.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo