The Blaze, 256-6, defeat Durham, 252-9, by four wickets.

The Blaze clinched a well deserved place in the semi-finals of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition with a clinical victory over Durham by four wickets at Trent Bridge.

A maiden half century in Blaze colours for Orla Prendergast, and yet another from the ever consistent Kathryn Bryce broke the back of a 253-run target, as the two all-rounders added 107 runs for the third wicket, before Georgia Elwiss finished the job with an unbeaten 46.

A home semi-final next Wednesday will be guaranteed if The Blaze win away at Essex on Saturday, as all attention turns to the pointy end of the competition with eyes firmly on silverware.

The Blaze were relieved to see the sun shining on Trent Bridge upon arrival, after rain affected games in their two previous One Day Cup fixtures. Durham captain Hollie Armitage won the toss and elected to bat, but The Blaze had the bit between their teeth from the off.

A mixup saw Durham opener Emma Marlow run out in the second over, before Cassidy McCarthy snared the critical wicket of Armitage (11), finding the Durham captain's edge with Ella Claridge completing the catch at gully, with Durham 25-2 inside eight overs.

Mady Villiers (who proved to be Durham's standout batter) and remaining opener Mia Rogers began picking up the pieces, with Villiers in particular showing her class. The pair added 50 runs before Kathryn Bryce picked up Rogers (25) wicket, as Georgia Elwiss took a diving catch at extra cover.

Emily Windsor joined Villiers, and the pair stood firm as they put together the key innings partnership for the away side. Villiers made her fifty, and looked primed to accelerate as she moved past 70, but Blaze captain Kirstie Gordon had other ideas.

The skipper martialled her troops and began to tighten up the run rate, and was rewarded when she bowled Villiers on 79, who added 75 with Windsor to take Durham to 150-4 after 32 overs.

Elwiss was next to strike, bowling the dangerous Bess Heath on 15 to claim her 200th wicket in List A cricket.

Windsor completed her half-century, but Gordon struck again soon after, dismissing her stumped via good work from Sarah Bryce. Phoebe Turner was next to fall, making a run-a-ball 13 before Georgia Elwiss trapped her in front, Durham now 210-7 after 44 overs.

Katherine Fraser added some spark with back-to-back sixes, but then miscued Grace Ballinger to backward point. Kathryn Bryce clean bowled Grace Thompson, and Durham ended their innings 252-9 through their alloted fifty overs.

The Blaze showcased good intent in the powerplay, with Georgie Boyce striking three exquisite boundaries before she was bowled by Katie Levick on 16 - The Blaze finishing their first 10 overs 47-1.

Kathryn and Sarah Bryce began their partnership, with Kathryn in particular looking assured from the off. She played confidently through the offside, and though Sarah (15) was caught behind, The Blaze didn't waver.

Prendergast joined Bryce, and the pair took the sting out of the chase with a display of power and precision. The Irish international cut her first ball for four, and the duo went about their work well before Prendergast smashed Levick for six to bring up a 50 run stand in just 45 balls. 

At drinks, The Blaze were in total control at 130-2, and Bryce notched her sixth half century of the competition shortly after. Prendergast was next to raise the bat, striking Levick for another six to bring up her first fifty in Blaze colours, off 60 balls.

The 107 run stand was sadly broken when Levick bowled Bryce for 66, but the damage had been done, with The Blaze now needing just 82 from 19 overs, sitting at 171-3.

Georgia Elwiss came in and ensured the home side had nothing to worry about, playing herself in beautifully as Prendergast continued her good work. The latter eventually fell for a superb 67, with The Blaze now needing less than 50 off 13 overs.

Michaela Kirk came in and chipped in with two boundaries before being caught behind, and when Katherine Fraser bowled Ella Claridge, the home fans might have felt a slight surge of panic. But  Elwiss showed her experience, and kept her head while scoring at a rapid rate, to take The Blaze home with 15 balls to spare, finishing 46 not out off just 45 balls.