Summary

  • Kathryn and Sarah Bryce both hit half-centuries as The Blaze beat South East Stars by seven wickets to win Charlotte Edwards Cup

  • Stars took 22 off first over in final but are then restricted to 141-9

  • The Blaze beat Central Sparks by five wickets in first semi-final

  • Courtney Webb's 45 helps Sparks to 140-9 but Kathryn Bryce (44) & Tammy Beaumont (39) guide Blaze into final at 142-5

  • South East Stars edge reigning champions Southern Vipers by five runs in thrilling second semi

  • Sophia Dunkley top-scores with 49 as Stars post 162-5 and Vipers fall just short on 157-9

Live Reporting

Harry Everett and Katie Holloway

  1. The Blaze 36-1 v Central Sparks 140-9

    The fall of Marie Kelly brings Kathryn Bryce to the crease, and she has four 50s to her name in the Charlotte Edwards Cup already this year.

    But don't forget Tammy Beaumont is a veteran of 236 England appearances and she starts Georgia Davis' over with successive fours.

    But Bryce picks up the reins with her first boundary and then a couple with a reverse sweep - 15 runs off a profitable over.

  2. wicket

    WICKET Kelly c Jones b Baker 8

    The Blaze 21-1 v Central Sparks 140-9

    The Blaze have won all five matches when they have had to chase this season.

    That is a good level of confidence to have in the dressing room.

    Marie Kelly picks up her second boundary of the innings as she hits spinner Hannah Baker down the ground.

    She made 89 the other day - ominous signs.

    But she's gone! She tries another big shot, but it is straight into the midriff of Eve Jones at mid-off.

    A big wicket!

  3. The Blaze 16-0 v Central Sparks 140-9

    Grace Potts to open at the other end and she starts with a very wide, legside wide.

    And when she drops short to Tammy Beaumont, the experienced England player eases down to fine leg for four.

    Then Beaumont uses her feet to drive Potts through the covers for four more.

    Tammy Beaumont in actionGetty Images

  4. The Blaze 7-0 v Central Sparks 140-9

    Emily Arlott has the ball for Central Sparks. Tammy Beaumont and Marie Kelly are the batters.

    Beaumont begins with a couple and then a single, while Kelly gets off the mark with a lovely whipped shot down to deep midwicket for four.

    That spoils Arlott's over.

  5. Blaze begin chase

    The Blaze 0-0 v Central Sparks 140-9

    OK, after a short turnaround, The Blaze are beginning their chase at the County Ground in Derby.

    They need 141 for a place in the final.

  6. End of Sparks innings

    The Blaze v Central Sparks 140-9

    Courtney Webb should be caught off the penultimate ball but is dropped in the deep at point and they run two.

    The last ball is on the money from Heather Graham. But with Hannah Baker out of her ground, Graham throws at the non-striker's end, misses and Baker and Webb scramble two runs, very unnecessary from The Blaze.

    Webb ends on 45 not out from 31 balls and she has done a great job in getting the Sparks through to the 20-over mark.

  7. wicket

    WICKET Davis run out 2

    The Blaze v Central Sparks 136-9

    Heather Graham to bowl the final over.

    Georgia Davis gets a single so Courtney Webb is back on strike.

    Webb goes for a big heave, but under-edges it past the wicketkeeper for a couple.

    She fires the next one down the ground and comes back for a second, which is not on, and Davis is run out at the bowler's end.

  8. 'The outfield is a bit bobbly'

    The Blaze v Central Sparks 132-8

    Kevan James
    BBC local radio cricket commentator

    There's a bit of a bobbly outfield, it's not smooth.

    It's definitely worth putting pressure on the fielders here.

  9. The Blaze v Central Sparks 132-8

    A high full toss gets four runs for Courtney Webb and it is signalled as a no-ball.

    A free hit - a swing and a miss.

    Webb has 38 - the top score in the innings.

  10. wicket

    WICKET Potts c K Bryce b Ballinger 2

    The Blaze v Central Sparks 124-8

    The penultimate over to be bowled by Grace Ballinger.

    And a wide full toss is sent to the fence by Courtney Webb - a good start to the over.

    A single and then it's down to Grace Potts, who perishes as she fails to clear mid-off.

  11. The Blaze v Central Sparks 119-7

    Courtney WebbGetty Images

    Courtney Webb is the key for the Sparks as she tries to guide her team to a decent total.

    But Kirstie Gordon is a wily operator and she restricts Webb and Grace Potts to five singles.

  12. wicket

    WICKET Arlott c Gordon b Graham 5

    The Blaze v Central Sparks 114-7

    It feels like The Blaze have turned the screw here. Central Sparks will do well to reach 150 from this point.

    And even more so as they lose a seventh wicket.

    Emily Arlott goes for a big drive, but drills straight into the hands of Kirstie Gordon at wide mid-off and it's a first wicket for Heather Graham.

  13. The Blaze v Central Sparks 109-6

    Josie Groves completes her set of four overs and rounds up with another fine set of six.

    Only two singles conceded and Groves finishes with very good figures of 2-16.

  14. The Blaze v Central Sparks 107-6

    A fine and much needed boundary from Courtney Webb as she cuts Kirstie Gordon for four.

    But The Blaze captain will probably accept only giving up seven runs off the over.

  15. 'Sparks are falling away'

    The Blaze v Central Sparks 100-6

    Clive Eakin
    BBC local radio cricket commentator

    The Sparks are falling away here.

    Having got off to that great start, they are in danger of a total that won't be as challenging as they hoped it would be.

  16. 100 runs

    100 up

    The Blaze v Central Sparks 100-6

    Emily Arlott picks up a single off the final ball of the over to bring up the 100 for the Sparks.

    A few too many wickets against them as they try to mount a charge in the final six overs.

  17. wicket

    WICKET Pavely st S Bryce b Groves 3

    The Blaze v Central Sparks 93-6

    Josie Groves of The Blaze celebrates after getting Katie George of Central Sparks outGetty Images

    After seven from Lucy Higham's over, Josie Groves strikes with the first ball of the next over.

    Charis Pavely comes down the wicket, misses and is stumped by miles.

    Are the wheels starting to come off this innings?

  18. The Blaze v Central Sparks 86-5

    A brilliant over from Josie Groves gives up just one single.

    They have really pulled it back and put the brakes on this Sparks innings.

  19. wicket

    WICKET George b Groves 0

    The Blaze v Central Sparks 85-5

    Two wickets in three balls for The Blaze.

    Katie George goes to cut Josie Groves, but there is not enough width and she drags onto the stumps.

    All those early boundaries feel a long time ago now.

  20. wicket

    WICKET Freeborn run out (K Bryce) 17

    The Blaze v Central Sparks 85-4

    Kirstie Gordon is keeping the batters guessing with yet another bowling change.

    A second over for Kathryn Bryce and it's the definition of a quiet one until Abi Freeborn drills one through cover for a welcome four.

    But oh no!

    The last ball of the over, Freeborn chances a single as she knocks it to Ella Claridge at cover. The throw isn't great, but sharp work from Bryce at the bowler's end has the bails off before Freeborn can make her ground.