Bears and Blaze tie as Hampshire and Surrey get off to winning starts

Charis Pavely top scored with 46 for Warwickshire in their tie with The Blaze

The Blaze were held to a thrilling tie by Warwickshire Bears at Trent Bridge but there were comfortable Women's T20 Blast wins elsewhere for Hampshire Hawks and Surrey.

Georgia Elwiss' Blaze side, who represent Nottinghamshire but kept their regional name after winning the Charlotte Edwards Cup last season, were set 161 for victory by the Bears.

After Elwiss's 38-ball 52 was ended by Charis Pavely who had earlier top scored for the Bears with 46, sisters Kathryn (60) and Sarah Bryce (27) looked set to bring home the win, taking the chase into the final over with nine needed.

Seven runs off the first four deliveries from Issy Wong put them on course but with two needed from two, Sarah Bryce holed out at mid off.

New batter Maddy Green managed a single off the final delivery but was run out going for the second as the two sides shared two points a piece in their opening fixture.

Maia Boucher starred with a 53-ball 92 as Hampshire Hawks got their campaign off to a flier beating Essex by 25 runs.

The Hampshire opener's effort built a platform for the home side to post 215-3 after being put in to bat by the visitors.

On-loan Yorkshire star Lauren Winfield-Hill (69) made a decent stab at chasing down the total but Bex Tyson's 3-40 took crucial wickets in the chase including Essex's Australia international Maddie Penna.

The two-time Big Bash winner with Adelaide Strikers hit a rapid 17-ball 38 but was the second of three to fall to the left arm spinner.

Meanwhile, Surrey posted a thumping eight-wicket victory over Somerset.

Set a target of 132 for victory Danni Wyatt-Hodge (53 not out) and Paige Scholfield (63) put them within touching distance with a 112-run partnership for the second wicket.

Kira Chathli brought home the win with 27 balls to spare with a power-packed finish, hitting 12 in four balls and a six to secure victory.