Northern Diamonds vs The Blaze at Scarborough (North Marine Road) on 1 May (10h30)
Diamonds were disappointed to face their ‘second straight defeat,’ this time at the hands of Blaze; last year’s finalists. Although no Blaze batters scored ‘fifty,’ seven batters made double-figures. Blaze’s winning 7th wicket batting partnership was between Bethan Gammon (Wales international who made top score) and Ella Claridge. Together, scoring at one-run-per-ball through the last eight overs took the match down to the final over. Commentators who agreed that both teams put on ‘a great show’added that Blaze were ‘overdue’ their first win of the new season, whereas their opponents missed opportunities that ‘cost Diamonds dear.’ After the match, Australian Erin Burns who took a 3-fer, described Diamonds defeat by Blaze as ‘bittersweet.’ Commentators: Jonathan Doidge (BBC radio Leeds, referred to endearingly as ‘Doidgy’), Graham Hardcastle (Sports journalist); with guest Dr Jane Powell (President, Yorks CCC; former England & Yorks women.) Conditions were damp: with ball towelling, ‘a ‘slow outfield’ amd ‘a lack of pace in the pitch.’ Initially grey with ‘thick cloud cover’ until around 3pm. Once cloud lifted away, there was bright sunshine.
*Diamonds innings skipper Hollie Armitage (England & England A), Abigail ‘Abi’ Glen (England u-19), Lauren Winfield-Hill (England, Aus Big bash), Erin Burns (Australia Big bash), Sophia Turner (Thunder loan), Rebecca Duckworth & Jess Woolston; *Without Bess Heath (rested), Sterre Kalis (NL call-up) or Lizzie Scott; [*Ella Claridge keeping wicket for Blaze ]; *Elected to bat; *Lauren Winfield-Hill was caught over Kirstie Gordon’s shoulder while running, from Grace Ballinger; *After 10 overs power-play, Diamonds were 43/1; *Three wickets fell within 16 balls: *Hollie Armitage was bowled top of ‘’off-stump’ from an outside-edge’ by Kirstie Gordon; *Emma Marlow ‘wandered out’ and was stumped by Ella Claridge (also from Gordon) *Erin Burns was bowled with her ‘off-stump flattened’ by Sophie Munro; *During the 25th over, Rebecca Duckworth was caught by Kirstie Gordon at ‘mid-off’ from Lucy Higham’s 3rd ball; *By mid-way, 82/5 paused for drinks; *Phoebe Turner was bowled off her pads, bails sent flying by Lucy Higham; *Sophia Turner was caught at ‘backward point’ by Daisy Mullan rolling backwards from Nadine deKlerk; *Abi Glen was bowled by Sophie Munro’s ‘terrific delivery’ (briefly gaffed as from Nadine deKlerk) *Next ball, Leah Dobson ‘who had stepped-up,’ went ‘leg-before’ to Teresa Graves; *Finally, Jess Woolston was bowled ‘middle-and-leg’ by Sophie Munro; *Diamonds batting Four batters made double-figures: Leah Dobson 54(85), Abi Glen 38(31), Emma Marlow 29(50), Rebecca Duckworth 19(35), *Blaze bowling Sophie Munro 3/28, Lucy Higham 2/11, Kirstie Gordon 2/33, Teresa Graves 1/14, Nadine deKlerk 1/41, Grace Ballinger 1/44;
*Blaze innings skipper Kirstie Gordon with Lucy Higham (England A) *With Nadine deKlerk (Rep. South Africa), Bethan Gammon (Wales), *Daisy Mullan on loan from Thunder, *Without Kathryn & Sarah Bryce (Scotland call-up); without Sarah Glenn (rested); *Fielded a ‘youthful’ team (because of missing players.) [*Lauren Winfield-Hill keeping wicket for Diamonds] *After 10 overs power-play, Blaze were 43/0 (vs 43/1); *Kirstie Gordon was caught leg-side by Lauren Winfield-Hill from Katie Levick’s 2nd ball; *During the 20th over, Teresa Graves was bowled bails flying, by Erin Burns; *Approaching mid-way, Daisy Mullan ballooned a catch, caught-and-bowled by Erin Burns; *Match was ‘evenly poised’ by mid-way: 89/3 (vs 82/5); *Marie Kelly was caught behind by Lauren Winfield-Hill, from Phoebe Turner; Sophie Munro was ‘run-out’ by Hollie Armitage, with a direct hit to the keeper’s end, from Phoebe Turner; *Nadine deKlerk was caught from a ‘top edge’ looped to Katie Levick, from Jess Woolston; *Beth Gammon was caught aerial by Hollie Armitage, from Sophia Turner – said to be a ‘massive blow;’ *Cassidy McCarthy came down-the-wicket, but was stumped by Lauren Winfield-Hill, from Erin Burns; *Ella Claridge played a cameo, bring the match down to the last over; *Finally, Lucy Higham scored 2 ‘twos’ and the winning single from Sophia Turner, with two balls to spare; *Blaze batting Bethan Gammon 39(52), Teresa Graves 33(60), Ella Claridge 29*not out(41), Marie Kelly 20(23), Kirstie Gordon 19(32), Daisy Mullan 12(31), Nadine deKlerk 10(45); *Diamonds bowling Erin Burns 4/30, Katie Levick 1/13, Sophia Turner 1/22, Phoebe Turner 1/30, Jess Woolston 1/45;
*Match result: The Blaze 189/8 (49.4/50 overs @3.8 runs-per-over) beat Northern Diamonds 188 (47.4/50 ov @3.9 rpo) by two wickets with 2 balls remaining
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104430#scorecard AppleMac users may need to scroll down left-hand margin
*Youtube video free-to-air courtesy of ECB & Yorkshire cricket (via NV Play) <7h15m02s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N75SXEAczqY
