The Blaze delivered an impressive bowling performance to stay in contention for a spot in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy knockout stage, while Southern Vipers missed their first opportunity to confirm their progression.
Marie Kelly led The Blaze’s batting effort with a hard-fought 40, helping her team reach 208 on a challenging pitch. Spinner Ava Lee celebrated her 19th birthday with a career-best four for 51.
Fast bowlers Orla Prendergast and Kathryn Bryce contributed with three for 38 and two for 18, respectively. However, it was Kirstie Gordon, with two for 26, and the other spinners who ultimately thwarted Vipers' chase, despite a determined 41 from Emily Windsor.
The Blaze remains in fifth place but have closed the gap to South East Stars to just five points. Meanwhile, Vipers stay at the top and are still in a strong position to reach the semi-finals.
The Vipers opted to field first and immediately applied pressure with the new ball, dismissing Sarah Bryce for an unconvincing nine off 20 balls. Georgie Boyce, making her first appearance of the season, struggled to get going and was eventually forced to retire due to a leg injury.
Kathryn Bryce attempted to break the pressure with a straight six but was bowled by Georgia Elwiss. The Blaze faced challenges in building partnerships, as ten out of the eleven stands reached double figures, but only Kelly and Prendergast managed a partnership of 38 before the latter became Lee's first victim.
Kelly looked the most comfortable on the two-paced pitch, especially when driving, but her progress was halted just before reaching a half-century. After being dropped by Georgia Adams, Kelly was trapped lbw the very next ball, and Adams quickly dismissed Ella Claridge as well.
Lee then took control, with Linsey Smith assisting her at long on, as the duo combined to remove Lucy Higham, Gordon, and Josie Groves. Despite Boyce’s return to the crease, the innings ended on 208 after a crucial 24-run partnership with Grace Ballinger and a late run-out.
Vipers’ chase began with Rhianna Southby, promoted to open for the first time, looking comfortable early on. However, wickets fell at the other end, with Prendergast impressing her new teammates by dismissing Ella McCaughan and Adams. Elwiss was then caught and bowled by Gordon.
Gordon, along with spinners Groves and Higham, bowled with precision, putting pressure on Windsor and eventually causing Southby to be run out after a mix-up.
Windsor’s patient 41 and her 58-run partnership with Norgrove appeared to put Vipers in control, but the momentum shifted when Windsor chopped onto her stumps off Prendergast. This was followed by Mary Taylor being run out, and Alice Monaghan was caught down the leg side.
Vipers, needing 45 from the last 13 overs, crumbled when Linsey Smith chipped to mid-off, Norgrove was stumped after taking 50 balls to score her first boundary, and Lee was trapped lbw by Bryce. The Blaze clinched a narrow 20-run victory, keeping their knockout hopes alive.