South East Stars proved too strong for The Blaze at the Uptonsteel County Ground despite a battling final wicket stand between Kirstie Gordon and Grace Ballinger.

Ryana Macdonald-Gay (5-31) and Phoebe Franklin ripped through The Blaze’s top order, dismissing the top seven inside 13 overs, with only Teresa Graves (15) making double figures.

After Alice Davidson-Richards chipped in with a brace of strikes of her own, Gordon and Ballinger shared a last wicket stand worth 77, taking The Blaze’s total to 126 all out.

Ballinger (25) produced her best ever List A score, whilst skipper Gordon led from the front with an unbeaten 41 from 86 deliveries.

In reply, Bryony Smith and Tash Farrant continued their fine start to the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, following scores of 90 and 94 respectively at the weekend, adding 82 inside 15 overs.

Nadine de Klerk removed the dangerous Smith for 34 courtesy of a fine catch from the returning Sarah Glenn, before Gordon backed up her earlier exploits with the bat by bowling Paige Scholfield for five.

Farrant continued to motor along at the other end, completing her second half-century of the burgeoning summer, ending unbeaten on 68, Sophia Dunkley accompanying her to the target inside 24 overs.

The Blaze now head to the Cloud County Ground in Essex to face the Sunrisers on Saturday, whilst the South East Stars host Central Sparks on the same day.