Southern Vipers strengthened their position at the top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table after defeating in-form Blaze by four wickets at Chesterfield.

In a repeat of last season’s final, Blaze were hunting their 14th win in 15 games in all competitions, but again found Vipers too strong, as they did in both finals last year.

In the glorious, sylvan setting of Queen’s Park, Blaze were bowled out for 278 in 47.2 overs. Heather Graham, who took six for 39 against South East Stars last Sunday, this time starred with the bat with 78 (59 balls), supported by Kathryn Bryce 65 (72) and Sarah Bryce 48 (64). Mary Taylor took three for 32 and, having finished the innings with wickets with successive balls, stands on the threshold of history in the next game as potentially the first ever taker of a hat-trick all caught at third. 

Vipers’ reply  reached 281 for six with four balls to spare thanks mainly to a stand of 136 between Georgia Elwiss (101 not out, 110) and 18-year-old Abi Norgrove (a career-best 64, 75). They came together with the innings at a crossroads at 124 for four in the 22^nd over and paced the pursuit perfectly.

After choosing to bat, The Blaze lost Teresa Graves in the sixth over, run out by slick fielding in the covers from Charli Knott but Sarah and Kathryn Bryce added 71 in 12 overs. Sarah Bryce was superbly caught by a diving Taylor at point off Ava Lee but her sister was joined in another productive partnership by Marie Kelly. The fourth-wicket pair added 66 in 12 overs before falling in the space of nine balls, Kathryn Bryce chipping Lee to mid-wicket and Marie Kelly (33, 40) perishing bowled off-stump through the gate by Taylor.

Knott struck with successive balls when Ella Claridge was caught down the leg-side by wicketkeeper Rhianna Southby and Kirstie Gordon fell lbw but Graham rebooted the innings. She took successive fours off Freya Davies and found the gaps cleverly, particularly on the off side, on the way to a 40-ball half-century.

In reply, Vipers soon lost Knott, trapped lbw by a big inswinger from Grace Ballinger, but skipper Adams laid a solid base for the chase with a two half-century stands - 55 in 11 overs with Ella McCaughan and 52 in eight with Elwiss.

Blaze hit back with two wickets in four balls when Adams (47, 53) was run out by a direct hit from the boundary by Lucy Higham and Emily Windsor cut Cassidy McCarthy hard to point.

At 124 for four, Vipers were vulnerable but Elwiss and Norgrove worked the ball around skilfully on the way to a century partnership in 124 balls. Elwiss reached her 50 from 60 balls and Norgrove followed to hers in 53.

Kathryn Bryce bowled Blaze back into the game with two wickets in four balls when Norgrove chipped to mid-wicket and Alice Monaghan missed a heave and was bowled. Seventeen were needed from the last two overs but 12 came from the first of them to ease the pressure and Elwiss sealed the victory with six over mid-wicket that took her to three figures.