Surrey march on to Finals Day with win over Bears

Kira Chathli led Surrey to another victory

Surrey will head to the inaugural Women's T20 Blast Finals Day in fine form after winning their 11th match of the group stage with a 25-run victory over Bears.

Having already secured top spot, Kira Chathli top scored with 65 in 31 balls as Surrey piled up 204-5 after being sent in.

The chase was as good as over when Bears, who had already qualified for Finals Day themselves, slipped to 39-4 in the seventh over as they could only make 179-9.

Elsewhere, The Blaze confirmed second place by beating Hampshire, while Lancashire, also heading to 27 July's Finals Day, tied with Somerset and Essex beat Durham.

Surrey have only been beaten once in 14 group matches and easily saw off Bears who went through in third.

Chathli struck five sixes in making her first fifty of the competition and Grace Harris struck 37 from 25 balls as Surrey made their second total over 200 this season.

In deep trouble early in their reply, Laura Harris hit 42 in just 14 balls for Bears to revive the chase but they could not undo the early damage and fell short on 179-9.

Marie Kelly helped The Blaze to victory

The Blaze had also already booked their place at The Oval next Sunday and ended the group stage with their eighth win.

Sent in, Marie Kelly struck nine fours in her 57 from 45 balls and her opening partner Georgia Elwiss made an unbeaten 53 in 46 to help them post 146-5.

Hampshire were then 13-2 before a stand of 105 between Rhianna Southby, who made 62 from 51 balls, and Georgia Adams, 57 in 50.

But they were always well behind the asking rate and finished on 137-4 to finish in sixth.

Lancashire are the other semi-finalists but finished the group stage with a dramatic tie with Somerset.

The start was delayed and the game reduced to 17 overs-a-side after some Lancashire players were held up in traffic trying to get to Blackpool.

They eventually fielded first and held Somerset to 114-6 as captain Sophie Luff made 36 in 30 balls.

Lancashire then needed 13 off the final over and seven from the last ball, only for Alana King to swing it for six over deep square and earn a tie.

And at Chelmsford, Essex signed off their season with a nine-run win over Durham, who could not reach the top four even with victory.

Cordelia Griffith struck 60 from 35 balls to lead Essex to 164-3 having won the toss.

Suzie Bates gave the chase a bright start with 45 in 39 balls but Essex kept chipping away and Durham ended on 155-8 as they finished fifth in the table.

There will be live text commentary of Finals Day on 27 July on the BBC Sport website and app.