Chloe Skelton's remarkable five-wicket haul guided Western Storm to a crucial 30-run victory over Sunrisers at Radlett, damaging the home team's chances of advancing to the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy semi-finals.
Skelton’s off-spin proved decisive, as she claimed 5 for 29, helping to bowl out Sunrisers for 150. Earlier, she had supported Amanda-Jade Wellington’s counter-attacking unbeaten 45, which lifted Storm to a competitive total of 180.
Sunrisers appeared on track to chase the target, with Cordelia Griffith (39) and Alice Macleod (48) leading the way. However, Skelton's bowling turned the game in Storm’s favour, securing their fourth win of the tournament. Sunrisers now face a must-win game against Southern Vipers to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
After winning the toss, Sunrisers opted to field and quickly took control of the game. Kate Coppack’s athletic return catch off Sophia Smale’s leading edge broke through in the ninth over. Emma Corney and captain Sophie Luff steadied the ship, bringing Storm to 61 for 1. But Sophie Munro's introduction changed the momentum. She bowled Corney for 29 with a yorker in her first over and finished with 3 for 42, sparking a collapse.
Luff was bowled by a slower delivery from Eva Gray, and Jodi Grewcock’s tight second spell claimed two more wickets, leaving Storm reeling at 115 for 8. However, the lower order came to the rescue, as Skelton and Ellie Anderson helped Wellington add a crucial 65 runs. Wellington smashed Munro for a boundary and a six in quick succession, taking Storm past 150. Anderson was eventually bowled by Abtaha Maqsood in the 47th over, but Wellington’s spirited effort had already done enough to boost Storm’s total.
Storm’s morale received another lift at the start of Sunrisers’ innings, with Anderson removing both openers cheaply. Jo Gardner fell to a midwicket catch, while Grace Scrivens was bowled after playing around a delivery. Skelton then struck in her fourth ball, removing Grewcock to leave Sunrisers wobbling at 44 for 3.
Griffith’s aggressive approach helped Sunrisers recover, as she partnered with Macleod to add 46 runs. However, Skelton’s sharp bowling ended Griffith’s innings when she was caught at deep midwicket. Macleod took over, hitting Wellington and Smale for boundaries, pushing the score past 100.
A half-century looked within reach for Macleod, but a brilliant one-handed catch by Alex Griffiths at short cover ended her knock, marking the turning point. With Skelton leading the attack, Storm’s spinners tightened their grip, and Skelton took three of the last four wickets to seal the win with more than 10 overs to spare.