Southern Vipers 121 for 3 (Knott 57) defeated South East Stars 120 (Davies 4-14) by seven wickets
Freya Davies' outstanding four-wicket haul propelled Southern Vipers to a decisive seven-wicket victory over South East Stars, solidifying their top position in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy standings.
Davies, who last took four wickets in a match during a T20 for England against New Zealand in March 2021, delivered an exceptional performance by claiming 4 for 14 at Falkland Cricket Club. This impressive effort restricted the Stars to a mere 120 runs, with local talents Ava Lee and Charli Knott also contributing by taking two wickets each.
Knott, in her second-to-last appearance, ensured a smooth chase with a stylish 57, helping the Vipers avenge their Charlotte Edwards Cup semi-final loss to the Stars.
Opting to bowl first, Vipers capitalised on a rain delay that reduced the match to 46 overs per side and quickly dismantled the Stars' batting lineup.
Mary Taylor initiated the breakthrough by getting Tash Farrant to edge a drive behind to Megan Sturge, who was substituting as wicketkeeper due to Rhianna Southby's finger injury.
Davies then wreaked havoc, reducing the visitors to 22 for 4 with her swinging deliveries that confounded Bryony Smith, Alexa Stonehouse, and Kalea Moore. Notably, her deliveries to bowl Smith and to get Moore gloved behind were exceptional, resulting in a first spell of 3 for 10 in seven overs.
Alice Davidson-Richards and Bethan Miles tried to stabilise the innings with a 35-run partnership, but another collapse saw the Stars lose four wickets for just 25 runs.
This time, Vipers' spinners took control as Miles and Aylish Cranstone were outsmarted by Knott's clever off-breaks. The Australian also made an extraordinary catch in the deep to dismiss Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones.
Lee, playing on her home ground where she started her cricket journey, took two wickets in an over, including Davidson-Richards caught behind.
Chloe Hill and Ryana Macdonald-Gay provided some resistance with a patient 34-run partnership for the ninth wicket. However, Hill was run out at the non-striker's end, and Davies claimed her fourth wicket by dismissing Dani Gregory.
In response, Vipers' batting was assertive. They equalled the number of boundaries hit by the Stars in just 14 overs, led by Knott.
The Stars' plight was worsened by a hamstring injury to Farrant in the first over, forcing her off the field. Knott and Ella McCaughan added 46 runs for the first wicket within eight overs, before McCaughan was deceived by a big-turning off-spinner from Moore.
Georgia Adams contributed with a 43-run partnership with Knott, and although Adams and Emily Windsor fell, Knott elegantly dispatched the ball to reach a 56-ball fifty, her third half-century and fifth score over 40 for the Vipers.
Fittingly, Knott cut the winning runs as Vipers chased down the target in 23 overs, securing a dominant victory.