The Blaze, 252-6, defeat Somerset, 169, by 44 runs (DLS)

Kathryn and Sarah Bryce scored excellent half centuries to guide The Blaze to a 44-run bonus point victory over Somerset (DLS) in a rain-shortened Metro Bank One Day Cup match at Taunton Vale Sports Ground.

The victory has propelled The Blaze back into second on the table as the race for finals continues to heat up, just five points shy of leaders Hampshire with two fixtures remaining.

While the Bryce's set the tone, they were ably supported by a fiery 46 from Orla Prendergast, as the Blaze set an imperious total of 252 off just 33 overs. This total looked even more intimidating when  Cassidy McCarthy claimed three wickets in her first two overs, in a dominant opening spell that left Somerset shellshocked. 

With heavy rain falling, play was considerably delayed, and when the toss was taken, the time constraints presented a shortened contest - 33 overs per side with play to commence at 1pm.

Somerset won the toss and elected to bowl, but Blaze openers Georgie Boyce and Sarah Bryce were quick to put the pressure right back on the home side.

Making the most of short boundaries and a quick outfield, Boyce and Bryce accrued 11 boundaries on their way to 61 without loss from a seven-over powerplay. Both openers showed strong intent and were proactive as they punished any inconsistent bowling in the Somerset attack.

Unfortunately, Charlie Dean was able to remove Boyce, caught driving to mid-off on 31, with the score 76-1 in the 10th over. But there was no dislodging Sarah Bryce, who went to an assured half century from 40 balls with 10 fours, the Blaze wicketkeeper-batter growing in stature throughout the innings.

In an innings that was built on partnerships, Sarah joined forces with sister Kathryn, who immediately displayed the consistent and calm approach she's employed all season long. The pair added close to another fifty runs, before Sarah was bowled by Chloe Skelton for a superb 68 off just 54 balls, including 12 fours.

There was no reprieve for Somerset though, as Orla Prendergast joined Kathryn Bryce, and began her trademark approach of going on the attack. She pulled Alex Griffiths for six with exceptional power, before proceeding to blast the ball over mid-off, through the covers, and down the ground with relative ease.

The pair shared a third wicket stand of 73 in just eight overs, before Prendergast was caught off Amanda-Jade Wellington after adding a rapid 46 off just 31 deliveries, with The Blaze sitting at 195-3 after 26 overs.

Georgia Elwiss and Ella Claridge fell cheaply, but Kathryn Bryce continued her charge, and found a partner in Michaela Kirk to keep pushing the total forward. Bryce raised the bat for her own fifty off 52 balls, while Kirk managed to strike three quick boundaries as she made a useful 17 from nine balls before departing, as The Blaze finished 252-6, with Kathryn Bryce unbeaten on an excellent 63*.

A further downpour caused seven overs to be lost and, when Somerset resumed their innings, they were required to score 203 from 26 overs, at a run rate of 8.36. Their task quickly became even more difficult as The Blaze made a perfect start.

Bex Odgers pulled Cassidy McCarthy's first ball to square leg, before fellow opener Niamh Holland snicked off to an excellent ball from Grace Ballinger, with Sarah Bryce taking a nice catch behind the stumps.

Generating pace and swing aplenty, McCarthy bowled Sophie Luff, before repeating the trick to capture Dani Gibson with the very next ball, leaving her on a hat-trick. While she couldn't complete it, she had Somerset all at sea, taking three wickets in eight balls as tbe home side slumped to 9-4.

Things went from bad to worse when Kirstie Gordon had Charlie Dean caught by Kirk on the mid-wicket boundary, as Somerset fell to 22-5.

Fran Wilson and Amanda-Jade Wellington came in, and seemed to be batting on a different pitch, as the pair added 69 runs in 6.5 overs in an impressive display of batting. Wellington in particular was not afraid to play expansive strokes, and managed to give the home crowd something to sing about.

Georgia Elwiss managed to remove Wilson (33), caught at short fine leg, but Wellington went on to post a deserved 50 from just 26 balls, with 10 fours. She was run out by Kathryn Bryce soon afterwards, and her dismissal ended any real hope of a miraculous Somerset revival, 97-7 and still needing north of 100 runs.

Lucy Higham rattled the pegs twice to dismiss Alex Griffiths, who made an entertaining 28, and Chloe Skelton (5), before Ballinger took the final wicket of Mollie Robbins to bowl Somerset out for 169, 44 runs short of the required target.

McCarthy was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for just 12 runs, as The Blaze took care of business in a must win game, before turning their focus to a home tie with Durham at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.