Ella Claridge struck 88 runs and Maria Andrews claimed five wickets across Second XI T20 Finals Day as The Blaze saw off Hampshire Hawks and Durham emerge as tournament victors.

Claridge made 73 and Andrews took 2/23 in a six-wicket semi-final win against the Hawks to steer The Blaze to the showpiece, set up after Durham defeated Essex in the other last-four tie.

Once The Blaze were there, Georgie Boyce crafted a composed 41 not out to set the scene for Andrews to claim a match-winning 3/21 in a 15-run victory over the north-eastern outfit.

Lucy Higham had contributed 2/28 in the semi-final too, which came about as Hampshire mustered 147-5 before The Blaze, driven by Claridge, cantered to 148-4 with 2.1 overs to spare.

Concurrently, Durham had successfully chased down hosts Essex’s 134-7, reaching 135-6 with eight balls left, setting up a final between two sides whose first XIs had met only a day earlier.

Unlike that washed-out game, however, a result was achieved, as Boyce was backed up by Lara Shaw’s 31 and Higham striking 27 not out from just 14 balls in The Blaze’s 150-5.

With Andrews then producing the standout bowling showing of the day and wickets also going to Higham and Josie Groves, Durham were restricted to 135-6 in reply.

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