Charley Phillips’ masterful final over propelled The Blaze 2nd XI to a nail-biting two-run win over Lancashire in Warrington.

With 19 overs bowled, the hosts, chasing The Blaze’s 125-8, required just eight to win off the final six balls and had six wickets in hand.

However, Phillips, who returned 2/26 overall, produced a cameo straight from the death-bowling manual to claim two scalps, be involved in a run out, and concede just five runs, to sneak the visitors over the line.

Georgie Boyce’s 48 from 39 balls, that included nine fours, had seen The Blaze to their ultimately-winning score in the face of some tight home bowling in an eventful clash.

Scarlett Hughes contributed 22 and Michaela Kirk was part of a 67-run third-wicket stand with Boyce, repelling the efforts of Lancashire’s Grace Potts, who took 3/13 from four overs.

Josie Groves joined Phillips in claiming two wickets, at a cost of just 25 runs from four overs, and successfully saw off home opener Alice Clarke for 38 via an Ella Claridge stumping.

The visitors’ chase in the latter stages was led by Darcey Carter, who made an unbeaten 40 from 34 balls, while Potts struck 19 from 12.

However, the latter became Phillips’ first victim from the first ball of her final over, and Carter was then starved of the strike, contributing just three from the two balls she was able to face.

With three to win from one ball, Skye Thomas was then caught by Maria Andrews to confirm The Blaze’s tense victory.

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