LANCASHIRE HAND BLAZE THEIR SECOND LOSS OF THE SEASON

Lancashire, 226-6, defeat The Blaze, 222, by four wickets.

The Blaze were unable to extend their recent run of victories, as their bid for a fifth consecutive win was snuffed out by Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford. 

Despite plenty of valiant effort and fighting spirit, The Blaze were ultimately beaten by the better side on the day, as a half century from the in-form Emma Lamb and List A best bowling by Grace Potts helped Lancashire complete the task.

Potts’ 4-37 led a strong bowling effort by the Lancashire pace attack, who rewarded captain Ellie Threlkeld for her decision to bowl first after winning the toss. The Blaze welcomed back captain Kirstie Gordon for her first game of the season after returning from injury, along with Charley Phillips and Georgia Elwiss as coach Craig Cumming shuffled his deck.

Tammy Beaumont (coming off two straight match-winning centuries) was unfortunately unable to continue her incredible run, falling on 11 in the seventh over off the bowling of Kate Cross. Opening partner Amy Jones however settled well, and found a friend at the crease in Kathryn Bryce.

Bryce upped the tempo, hitting 4 fours, but her good intent lasted only to the 15th over, as she drove spinner Sophie Morris to Cross at mid-on for 22, with The Blaze 60-2. Morris was celebrating again four deliveries later, when Sarah Bryce edged behind for 2.

While Jones continued to play confidently, she lost her batting partners in Georgia Elwiss (19) and Georgie Boyce (4) as Potts struck twice, leaving The Blaze with work to do at 5-97 in the 23rd over.

Ella Claridge was able to provide the critical support, as the pair rebuilt the innings with a 44-run partnership in ten overs. Jones pulled Mahika Gaur for six to reach her first half century for The Blaze, and at that stage it looked as if things were back on track. Unfortunately, Jones was caught at fine leg (52) three balls later when attempting to repeat the shot.

Sarah Glenn and Kirstie Gordon fell in quick succession, but Claridge hung tough, and Josie Groves continued her habit of adding useful late runs, as the pair put on 32 for the ninth wicket before Groves departed for 11.

Claridge progressed to record a well-deserved half century from 68 balls with some nice footwork, and critically ensured The Blaze managed to pass the 200 run mark. She was the last wicket to fall in the 49^th over, finishing on 63 as The Blaze posted a total of 222.

Lancashire openers Lamb and Eve Jones came into the match averaging 105 for the first wicket in the competition this season and the pair progressed confidently to post their fifty from just 47 balls as the home side made their mark early.

As both players looked comfortable, Blaze captain Kirstie Gordon took it upon herself to bring about the needed wicket, completing a caught and bowled to remove Jones on 33, ending the opening stand at 88 in the 15^th over.

Suddenly, The Blaze were in the game - Sarah Glenn trapped Katie Mack for a duck in the following over and Gordon dragged the Blaze back further still with two more wickets. The left arm spinner had Seren Smale (6) stumped, and Fi Morris (3) caught at mid-off to peg Lancashire back to 111-4 midway through the 21^st over. Gordon finished the match with figures of 3-33 off her ten overs, an excellent return after her layoff.

Lamb remained the thorn in The Blaze side, reaching her fifty off 55 balls as Lancashire attempted to consolidate, but The Blaze continued to squeeze with Ailsa Lister falling to an excellent diving catch at deep midwicket by Kathryn Bryce off Josie Groves for 15.

The huge wicket of Lamb followed when she nicked behind down the leg side off Kathryn Bryce at the end of the 32^nd over, finishing another excellent innings on 74. Needing just four wickets, and with Lancashire still requiring 67 runs, The Blaze could see a way to victory.

Unfortunately, Ellie Threlkeld and Kate Cross had other ideas - and put together a match-winning partnership for Lancashire in what can only be described as a patient and mature chase.

Threlkeld (35 not out) and Cross (38 not out) chipped away at the remaining runs, and amassed a seventh wicket partnership of 71 runs in a 15 over period to seal victory with the winning runs in the 48^th over.