AFTER WINS in the first round of games last Saturday for South East Stars – in a brilliant chase of 274 against reigning champions Southern Vipers in which Bryony Smith and Tash Farrant sparkled –, Northern Diamonds, with Lauren Winfield-Hill to the fore, Central Sparks and Sunrisers, the eight teams did battle once more last Wednesday before yesterday’s games, the results of which you can find at the bottom right of this page.
NORTHERN DIAMONDS V WESTERN STORM AT HEADINGLEY
A fabulous 103 from new England star Hollie Armitage led the Northern Diamonds to a comefrom-behind 10-run victory over Western Storm at Headingley.
Inserted, the Diamonds slipped to 89 for five in the 21st over before captain Armitage led the fightback to 275 for nine during her 114-ball innings.
All-rounder Abi Glen also crashed a late 53 not out off 46 and later claimed three wickets with her seamers.
Dani Gibson struck twice with the new ball and finished with three for 44 for Storm. But it was Armitage who won the battle of the England team-mates, leading her side to a second successive victory.
Spinners Sophia Smale and Amanda-Jade Wellington claimed three wickets like Gibson, but it was Australian overseas leg-spinner Wellington who was the pick of the Storm attack with three for 30 from 10 overs bowled on the reel through the middle of the innings.
In reply, Storm were well placed at 127 for two in the 23rd over, only to fall to 265 all out in the last over when they needed 12 to win. Armitage will take the headlines, but Phoebe Turner also impressed with three wickets following 32 with the bat.
THUNDER V SUNRISERS AT OLD TRAFFORD
A century from Australian Katie Mack ensured Lancashire Thunder got off the mark with a commanding 142 run victory over Sunrisers.
Thunder had lost their opening game but there was no apparent hangover from that error-strewn performance with Mack and third-wicket partner Fi Morris, who hit 89, taking the hosts to a daunting total of 292 for five before Sunrisers were bundled out for just 150.
Where Saturday’s defeat to Northern Diamonds saw Thunder fail to recover from the loss of early wickets, here they seem galvanised by the challenge as Mack and Morris combined.
Full of inventiveness, skill and some excellent running between the wickets, the partnership began to build with Mack’s innings ull of ramps, sweeps and late cuts.
Ellie Threlkeld and Sophie Ecclestone then helped Thunder reach their highest ever score in the competition as they closed on 292 for five.
The task always looked a daunting one for Sunrisers as Kate Cross immediately hit the mark, producing five overs for just eight runs and the wicket of Ariana Dowse.
The longed-for partnership would not materialise for the visitors and the one bright spot for Sunrisers was
