History was made when Sparks skipper Eve Jones (pictured) scored an undefeated skipper’s ton (136*not out) and entered Old Trafford’s record book as the female top-scorer of all-time. Commentators described Eve Jones’ ‘great knock’ as ‘unbelievable;’ even more-so when Sparks’ run-chase came down to the last three balls, with ‘great drama’ for a ‘tight finish.’ Batting second, Eve Jones was evidently in a hurry to see her side to victory, partnered by Bethan Ellis who struck the winning ‘four.’ After the match Eve Jones caught-up with the ‘England A’ squad booked next day at short notice, to play Pakistan’s touring women’s team. Level-pegging on 9 points, Sparks and Thunder lead the chasing pack in the lower half of the table, all four teams with two wins after 6 rounds. Commentators were Mike Perkins & Scott Reid (Sports journalists) with Paul Shaw (Thunder’s former coach.) Weather was sunny with clear blue sky 15C.

*Thunder’s innings skipper Ellie Threlkeld; with Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Emma Lamb (England) Katie Mack (Australia big-bash) Also with Danielle Collins; without Phoebe Graham [*Abbey Freeborn keeping wicket for Sparks] *After 10 overs power-play 36/0; *By mid-way (25overs) 119/0; *Opening partnership 140; *Seren Smale who made ‘fifty’ was bowled by Hannah Baker; *Emma Lamb who made a century was caught at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by rolling Bethan Ellis, from Emily Arlott; *Katie Mack was caught at ‘mid-on’ by Ria Fackrell from Hannah Baker; *Ellie Threlkeld was ‘run out’ by Charis Pavely, from Hannah Baker; *Fi Morris was ‘run out’ from ‘mid-on’ by Ria Fackrell, from Emily Arlott; *Naomi Dattani was caught by keeper Abbey Freeborn from Grace Potts; *Danielle Collins was caught by Courtney Webb from Grace Potts from the last ball; *Kate Cross was ’not out’ *Thunder’s batting Emma Lamb 107(104); Seren Smale 67(105);  Katie Mack 42(42); Fi Morris 29(19); Naomi Dattani 17(13); *Sparks’ bowling used 7 bowlers: Grace Potts 2/46, Hannah Baker 2/51, Emily Arlott 1/57;

Sparks’ innings *skipper Evelyn ‘Eve’ Jones with Issy Wong (England & England A) Grace Potts & Hannah Baker (England A) Davina Perrin & Charis Pavely (England u-19s) *Courtney Webb (Australia Big bash) *Without Amy Jones (England) [*Ellie Threlkeld  keeping wicket for Thunder] *Charis Pavely 10 was bowled  by Kate Cross; *After 10 overs power-play 37/1 (vs 36/0); *Abbey Freeborn 13 was caught ‘mid-on’ by diving Naomi Dattani  from Fi Morris; *By 107/2 mid-way (25overs) vs 119/0; *Chloe Brewer 26 was caught by Seren Smale from Fi Morris; *Courtney Webb 40 was bowled by Hannah Jones; *Emily Arlott 15 went ‘leg before’ to Hannah Jones; *Issy Wong was caught by Seren Smale from Kate Cross; *Ria Fackrell was ‘run out’ by Fi Morris, from Kate Cross; *Eve Jones 136*not out, played a skipper’s innings and carried her bat; Sparks’ batting: Eve Jones 136 (148), Courtney Webb 40(35), Chloe Brewer 26(35), Emily Arlott 15(12), Abbey Freeborn 13(31) Charis Pavely 10(25); Thunder’s bowling using 6 bowlers Kate Cross 2/50, Hannah Jones 2/62, Tara Norris 1/56, Fi Morris 1/59;

*Match result: Central Sparks 287/7 (@5.7 runs-per-over from 49.4/50 ov, target 285 from 50 ov) beat North West Thunder 284/7 (@5.6 rpo from 50/50 ov) by three wickets (with 2 balls remaining)

*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104441#scorecard AppleMac users may need to scroll down the left-hand margin.

*Match free-to-air courtesy of Lancs TV (via NV Play) with promotional clip introduced by Alex Hartley & David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd (repeated between innings) on YouTube<07h46m25s>@URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddrOvdZwLgs

Thunder skipper Ellie Threlkeld (pictured) came beefed-up for a ‘Bank Holiday showdown’ with all four of their England players plus Australian Katie Mack. Blaze were strengthened by Tammy Beaumont playing her first match this season wearing Blaze, accompanied by fellow England player Sarah Glenn. Two pairs of bowlers from each size took 3-fers during a low-scoring match which saw 19 wickets fall. Thunder and England’s Mahika Gaur collected 3 ‘big name’ wickets from her first six overs. Blaze’s top-scorer Kirstie Gordon played a skipper’s innings, shy of ‘fifty.’ When Thunder replied, Seren Smale was the only batter who made ‘fifty.’ *Tail-enders Hannah Jones and Phoebe Graham made a gripping finish with Hannah Jones hitting the winning ‘four;’ also chalking-up their second win from five rounds. By comparison, Blaze have notched-up just one win. Previous two fixtures between both teams were rained-off without a solitary bowl bowled (May & July ’23.) Commentators were Jamie Ramage and Beth Harmer (England u-19s & Blaze) who were convinced that the match could have gone ‘either way.’ Weather was mainly sunny 15C.

*Blaze innings *skipper Kirstie Gordon & Sophie Munro (England A), Tammy Beaumont & Sarah Glenn (England), *Bethan ‘Beth’ Gammon (Wales) *With Nadine deKlerk (from Rep. South Africa) *Without Kathryn & Sarah Bryce (Scotland) *Georgie Boyce (injured) [*Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder] *Teresa Graves was bowled ‘middle-stump’ by Mahika Gaur’s in-swing;  *Nadine deKlerk went for a carbon copy dismissal from Mahika Gaur, also for single-figures; *After 10 overs power-play, 49/2; *Tammy Beaumont who was dropped, was caught shortly afterwards at ‘mid-on’ by Kate Cross from Mahika Gaur; *Marie Kelly 23(30) was caught by Emma Lamb, from Emma Jones; *Next over, 3 balls later Sarah Glenn was caught-and-bowled by Sophie Ecclestone; *Mid-way 105/5 (25 overs); *Beth Gammon 19(27) was bowled by Hannah Jones; *Seven balls later, Ella Claridge was caught for a duck by Sophie Ecclestone, from Fi Morris; *Partnership lasting 14 overs between Sophie Munro and Kirstie Gordon added 29 runs; *Sophie Munro 19(50) was ‘run out’ by Seren Smale, from Naomi Dattani;  *Lucy Higham 11(19) was bowled Hannah Jones; *Top-scorer Kirstie Gordon who played a skipper’s innings was caught by Seren Smale, from Kate Cross; *Blaze batting Kirstie Gordon 43(83,) Tammy Beaumont 25(38), Marie Kelly 23(30), Bethan Gammon 19(27), Sophie Munro 19(50), Lucy Higham 11(19); *Thunder’s bowling First six overs from Mahikja Gaur collected 3 wickets. Mahika Gaur 3/33, Hannah Jones 3/37, Fi Morris 1/5, Sophie Ecclestone 1/29, Kate Cross 1/29;

*Thunder’s innings skipper Ellie Threlkeld; Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Emma Lamb (England) Katie Mack (Australia big-bash) [Ella Claridge keeping wicket for Blaze] *Emma Lamb partnered by Seren Smale made a power-play score of 69/0 (vs 49/2); *Nadine deKlerk & Grace Ballinger remained wicketless, replaced by Kirstie Gordon and Sophie Munro; *After 15 overs 88/0;  *Breakthrough came during Sarah Glenn’s second over when Emma Lamb’s ‘slog-sweep’ was caught at ‘mid-on’ by Teresa Graves and four balls later, Katie Mack was bowled by Sarah Glenn; *Approaching mid-way Lucy Higham also took two wickets; *Firstly Fi Morris was caught at ‘mid-on’ by Teresa Graves; *Secondly when Ellie Threlkeld was caught at ‘mid-off’ by Kirstie Gordon; *Mid-way 111/4 (vs 105/5); *Lucy Higham scored her 3-fer when Naomi Dattani went ‘leg before;’ *Next over, top-scorer Seren Smale was bowled by Kirstie Gordon; *Disaster struck during the 35th over when Kirstie Gordon was on a hat-trick. *Sophie Ecclestone was bowled and next ball, Mahika Gaur went leg-before for a golden duck; *Kate Cross was bowled ‘middle-stump’ by Sophie Munro; *Bowler-turned-batter Hannah Jones hit the winning ‘four’ to nudge Thunder across-the-line; *Thunder’s batting During a gripping last-wicket stand of fifteen runs between tail-enders Hannah Jones and Phoebe Graham, the match could have gone either way; *Seren Smale 58(70), Emma Lamb 44(50), Kate Cross 15(32), Naomi Dattani 11(26), Hanna Jones 10*not out(17); *Blaze’s bowling Kirstie Gordon 3/25, Lucy Higham 3/28, Sarah Glenn 2/36, Sophie Munro 1/27;

*Match result: North West Thunder 176/9 (@3.9 runs-per-over 44.4/50 overs; target 175 from 50 ov ) beat The Blaze 174 (@3.7 rpo from 46.4/50 ov ) by one wicket with 32 balls remaining

*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104437#scorecard

Match free-to-air courtesy of The Blaze (via NV Play) on YouTube <5h26m22s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m11EA-1Xmzo

Report from ‘Blaze News’ @URL https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/news/2024/may/thunder-withstand-blaze-fightback-in-bank-holiday-showdown.html

Interviewed post match (please see below) Nancy Harman (pictured) told Kev James that she was keen to make an impression for reselection to play for Vipers, and this was her first opportunity ‘finish the job’ to win. Together with Alice Monaghan who ‘filled her with confidence,’ the pair’s match-winning partnership ‘chased down’ 41 runs needed to win. Commentators mentioned earlier that the ‘two Georgias’ (Adams and Elwiss) laid the foundations for Vipers with no last-minute interruptions for rain. With three wins and one loss, Vipers (defending champions) have made a better start than for last year. During the match, Thunder’s Seren Smale top-scored with 99, only to be ‘run out’ with three balls remaining. Commentators Kevan ‘Kev’ James, Phil Green (Hursley Park) with guest Charlotte Taylor (Vipers.) Weather cloudy, some light rain.

*Thunder’s innings skipper Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Threlkeld with Seren Smale (England u19s), Olivia Bell (Scotland), Hannah Jones, Tara Norris, Shachi Pai, Katie Mack (Australia Big bash); without England trio (Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Emma Lamb) ) [Rhianna Southby keeping wicket for Vipers] *Shachi Pai was bowled by Linsey Smith: *After 10 overs power-play, 17/1 advancing to 81/1 by midway; *Two wickets fell in two balls; *Katie Mack was ‘run out’ by Georgia Elwiss, ‘mixed-up’ between wickets; & Fi Morris launched Alice Monaghan for a vertical catch that was behind; *Ellie Threlkeld who was dropped at mid-wicket, lost her off-stump when attempting to ‘scoop’ Mary Taylor leg-side; *Naomi Dattani was caught-and-bowled by Charli Knott, from a ‘full-toss;’ *Linsey Smith was on a hat-trick when Danielle Collins went ‘leg-before;’ *Next ball, Tara Norris snicked an outside-edge to keeper for a golden duck; *During the last 2 overs, Phoebe Graham was  bowled ‘middle-and-off’ by Mary Taylor; *Seren Smale was run-out for a ’well-made’ 99, an ‘unfortunate end’ to the final over with 3 balls remaining; *Thunder’s batting *Only 4 batters made double-figures: Seren Smale 99(145), Katie Mack 37(49), Danielle Collins 23(21), Ellie Threlkeld 12(21) *Vipers bowling Elected to bowl; Linsey Smith 3/19, Mary Taylor 2/37, Alice Monaghan 1/33, Charli Knott 1/56;

*Vipers’ innings skipper Georgia Adams, with Maia Bouchier, Charlie Dean, Freya Kemp (England), Georgia Adams & Linsey Smith (England A), Mary Taylor (England u19s), Georgia Elwiss (ex-England) Tara Norris (ex USA), Charli Knott (Australia big bash) with Nancy Harman [*Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder] *Ella McCaughan was bowled middle-stump from Tara Norris’s in-swinger for a 5th ball duck; *Abi Norgrove was bowled by Hannah Jones; Charli Knott was caught ‘at catchable height’ by Fi Morris at ‘short mid-wicket’ from Tara Norris; *Vipers 118/3 (vs 81/1) by midway 25 ov; *Abi Norgrove was ‘yorked,’ her ‘off-stump’ knocked back by by Hannah Jones’ ‘full toss.’ *Georgia Elwiss ‘was strangled down the leg-side’ by Tara Norris; *Emily Windsor ‘went backwards to a full delivery’ and was bowled by Phoebe Graham for a golden duck; *Georgia Adams  hit vertically from a ‘leading-edge,’ cleanly taken by Ellie Threlkeld; *Rhianna Southby was ‘yorked’ by Hannah Jones’ full length;’ *Finally Nancy Harman and Alice Monaghan ‘chased down’ 41 runs needed to win. *Vipers’ batting Georgia Adams 51(65), Georgia Elwiss 43(45), Abi Norgrove 18(37); Notable 41-run partnership between  Alice Monaghan 27*not out(31) & Nancy Harman 26*not out (52); *Thunder’s bowling: Tara Norris 3/45, Hannah Jones 2/36, Naomi Dattani 1/40, Phoebe Graham 1/41;

Match result: Southern Vipers 208/7 (@4.7 runs-per-over from 43.3/50 overs; target 207 from 50ov) beat North West Thunder 206/9 (@4.1 rpo from 50/50 overs) by three wickets with 39 balls remaining; Vipers 14 points (after 4 rounds, 3rd place)

*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104432#scorecard AppleMac users need to scroll down left-margin

*Match free-to-air courtesy of Southern Vipers TV via ‘YouTube’ <7h21m16s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4rq6-KNcqA

*Post match interview courtesy of BBC Radio Solent with Nancy Harman via ‘YouTube’ <3m31s>: ‘Nancy Harman reviews tense … win at Wormsley’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Tc3Y4ZbM8

Sophie Luff 76 (pictured) who played a skipper’s innings with top-score, later said she was ‘really proud’ for a ‘great team performance.’ During Storm’s innings, commentators lauded Sophie Ecclestone who was ‘pick of Thunder’s bowlers,’ taking a 3-fer. Storm posted a match-winning 162 runs from their last 30 overs. When Thunder replied, Storm’s Australian World Cup winner Amanda-Jade Wellington was hit for back-to-back ‘sixes,’ but later proved decisive by removing both of Thunder’s top batters (Katie Mack & Emma Lamb) just eight balls apart. Thereafter, Thunder’s challenge fell away. Storm’s bowlers Sophia Smale and Chloe Skelton both chalked-up 3-fers, lauded as ‘pivotal’ for Storm’s first win of the season. Commentators for LancsTV, Alex Hartley (ex England women), with Paul Shaw (ex Thunder Coach.) Weather was chilly, overcast, slowing outfield with rain forecast.

*Storm’s innings skipper Sophie Luff; with Danielle ‘Danni’ Gibson & Lauren Filer (England), Sophia Smale (England u-19s), Fran Wilson (ex England), &  Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia World Cup winner & Big bash) *One change: Katie Jones for Mollie Robbins;  [*Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder]; *After 10 overs power-play: 41/0; Alex Griffiths was bowled by Sophie Ecclestone; *Two wickets fell 5 balls apart firstly when Sophia Smale was bowled by ‘Sophie Ecclestone; *Next over, Fran Wilson was caught by Naomi Dattani from Phoebe Graham; *Danni Gibson was also bowled by Sophie Ecclestone; *By mid-way (25 overs) 92/4; *Nat Wraith was caught at ‘mid-on’ by Sophie Ecclestone’s ‘diving catch to her right,’ from Phoebe Graham; *Niamh Holland was caught by Katie Mack, from Mahika Gaur;*Sophie Luff partnered by Amanda-Jade Wellington added 56 runs from Storm’s last six overs; *Storm’s batting posted a defendable score – around 250; Sophie Luff 76(100); Nat Wraith 38(53); Amanda-Jade Wellington 31*not out(19); Alex Griffiths  24(38); Sophia Smale 28(48); Niamh Holland 22(24); Danielle ‘Danni’ Gibson 16(12); *Thunder bowling Sophie Ecclestone 3/16 with best economy from ten overs (1.6); Phoebe Graham 2/56, Mahika Gaur 1/49 also bowled full ten overs with joint 2nd place for economy;

Thunder’s innings *Skipper Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Threlkeld *With Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Emma Lamb (England), Seren Smale (England u19s), Katie Mack (Australia Big bash); with one change: Mahika Gaur for Tara Norris; [*Natasha ‘Nat’ Wraith keeping wicket for Storm] *During the power-play Seren Smale was caught by Danni Gibson at ‘cover’ from Lauren Filer; *Level-pegging scores after 10 overs 39/1 (vs 41/0); *Katie Mack partnered by Emma Lamb were bowled by Amanda-Jade Wellington eight balls apart; *Katie Mack’s middle stump was skittled by a ‘dead-straight’ ball; Emma Lamb (gaffed by commentators as Fi Morris) missing a ’sweep’ shot; *Approaching mid-way, Chloe Skelton was on a hat-trick after Fi Morris snicked an ‘outside-edge’ to keeper Nat Wraith; *Naomi Dattani was bowled ‘middle-and-leg’ for a golden duck at ‘bail height;’ *Alex Griffiths also snicked to Nat Wraith, this time from Sophie Ecclestone; *By mid-way (25 overs) 104/6 (vs 92/4); *Ellie Threlkeld partnered by Kate Cross added 69 runs from Thunder’s next 14 overs; *Both batters departed 3 balls apart: firstly, when Kate Cross was bowled by Sophia Smale *Also, Ellie Threlkeld went ‘leg-before’ to Chloe Skelton. *Next over, Mahika Gaur went for a 2nd ball duck from Sophia Smale; *Finally, Phoebe Graham was bowled by Sophia Smale. *Thunder batting Emma Lamb 38(53); Kate Cross 36(42); Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Threlkeld 32(60); Katie Mack 28(32); Fi Morris 16(23), Phoebe Graham 10(12); *Storm’s bowling Chloe Skelton 3/35, Sophia Smale 3/42; Amanda-Jade Wellington 2/46, Lauren Filer 1/13 with best economy (3.25); Alex Griffiths 1/15;

Match result: Western Storm 252/6 (@5.0 runs per over from 50/50 overs) beat North West Thunder 186 (@4.3 rpo from 42.4/50ov; target 253 from 50 ov) by 66 runs (with 44 balls remaining)

*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104427#scorecard AppleMac users may need to scroll down the left-hand margin

*Video highlights courtesy of Western Storm & NV Play via ‘YouTube’ <04m49s>@URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlieO2bi5uQ&t=6s

*Full match free-to-air courtesy of Lancs TV & NV Play via ‘YouTube’ <7h04m15s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWZAVYP7abk

Katie Levick (pictured) chalked-up her first 4-fer of the season, that included 2 ‘leg-before’ decisions. Katie Levick’s previous 4-fer (in last year’s contest) included 3 ‘leg-before’ against the same team (13/9/23.) Playing against some of the ‘most experienced’ players in the competition in their Roses derby, Thunder batters lost their wickets at regular intervals, losing five to ‘leg-before’ decisions. By contrast, Diamonds most experenced batters – skipper Hollie Armitage (61*not out) partnered by Lauren Winfield-Hill (69*not out) – together built a winning partnership that added 107 runs for Diamonds’ 2nd wicket. Diamonds bonus point victory sees them sharing joint first-place after the first round; situated between Sparks and Sunrisers once net-run-rate is taken into account. Weather was dry, overcast but chilly 8-10C.

Thunder’s innings *Skipper Ellie Threlkeld *With Seren Smale (England A) Mahika Gaur (England & England A) Katie Mack (Australia Big bash) Tara Norris (US); [*Lauren Winfield-Hill (England 2013-2022 & Australia Big bash) keeping wicket for ‘Diamonds’] *Only two (Seren Smale & Katie Mack) of Thunder’s top 4 batters made it to double figures – before both batters went ‘leg before.’ *Astonishingly two other top order batters received ‘ducks.’ *Disaster struck during the 10th over (on 47/3) when Katie Mack and Fi Morris were both dismissed, placing bowler Abi Glen on a hat-trick. *Beyond Thunder’s power-play Katie Levick’s 4-fer helped to bowl-out Thunder for a relatively low score of 165. *Thunder’s batting *Seren Smale 32 (49), Katie Mack 19(23), Tara Norris 19(35), Naomi Dattani 17(29), Danielle Collins 16(44); Diamonds’ bowling: Diamonds had elected to bowl. Katie Levick 4/38, Abi Glen 2/31, Sophia Turner 1/16, Erin Burns 1/18 & best economy (1.8), Phoebe Turner 1/24, Jess Woolston 1/28;

Diamonds’ innings *Skipper Hollie Armitage (England A) *With Sterre Kalis (NL) & Erin Burns (Australia Big bash) [*Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder] *Diamonds cautious reply and batters restraint was rewarded by gaining 3 wicket’s advantage after 10 overs power-play 35/0 (vs 47/3). *Thereafter, Sterre Kalis was caught at mid-wicket by by Naomi Dattani after mis-hitting a ‘full toss’ from spinner Hannah Jones. *Scoring opportunities added fifty runs during the second set of ten overs:- Diamonds reached 87/1 @20 overs. *By mid-way (25 overs) Diamonds were 108/1 (vs 97/5); requiring just 58 runs to win @2.3 runs-per-over, with nine wickets in-hand. *There followed a century partnership milestone, celebrated between Lauren Winfield-Hill and Hollie Armitage, during which both batters crafted ‘fifties,’ and ‘cruised’ to claim a bonus point for a convincing win.*Diamonds’ batting Lauren Winfield-Hill 69*not out (92), Hollie Armitage 61*not out(71), Sterre Kalis 28(44); Thunder’s bowling: Hannah Jones 1/34; Mahika Gaur with best economy (3.0)

Match result: Northern Diamonds 166/1 (34.3/50 overs; target 166 @4.8 runs-per-over from 50 overs)beat North West Thunder 165 (43.1/50 overs @3.8 rpo) by nine wickets with 93 balls remaining

*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104419#scorecard Note: AppleMac users may need to click on left-hand margin to select 2nd match

*Video highlights x55 via right-margin via ECB & Yorkshire Cricket TV (via NV Play) @URL https://yorkshireccc.com/match/northern-diamonds-v-thunder-at-chester-le-street-rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-20-apr-2024/

*Match without sound commentary, accessible free-to-air courtesy of Yorkshire Cricket TV via ‘YouTube’ <4h25m22s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9vdxIe7K9U&t=13s