Summary

  • Southern Vipers beat Central Sparks by six wickets at Northampton

  • They receive the trophy named after their coach, ex-England skipper Charlotte Edwards

  • Central Sparks made 109-8 from their 20 overs, England's Amy Jones makes 27

  • Maia Bouchier top scored with 32 as Vipers replied with 110-4 in 15.5 overs

  • Sparks (105-8) earlier beat South East Stars (104-8) by two wickets in play-off

  1. Postpublished at 12 overs

    Sparks 79-5 (Target 105)

    Alice Capsey into the attack now.

    That is a horror moment in the deep for Alice Davidson-Richards. What should be one turns into four as the ball goes through her legs. That really lets off some of the pressure.

    Eight off the over for Davina Perrin and Abigail Freeborn.

  2. Postpublished at 11 overs

    Sparks 71-5 (Target 105)

    Another brilliant over by Smith - her figures now read 3-0-11-3.

    Sparks need 34. The Stars need five wickets. Not sure the number of overs will come in to it.

  3. Postpublished at 14:12 British Summer Time 11 June 2022

    Kirstie Gordon
    Lightning and England spin bowler

    The Stars have a little bit of life about them now. Tails are up and the Sparks will be feeling the pressure.

  4. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 10.2 overs

    Davies lbw b Smith 2 (Sparks 69-5)

    I said Bryony Smith needed to be a miracle worker - well that's her third wicket!

    Coming round the wicket, she pins Gwen Davies back in the crease and the finger goes up.

    How are the nerves now on the Sparks' bench?

  5. Postpublished at 10 overs

    Sparks 68-4 (Target 105)

    Danielle Gregory spoils a good over with a rubbish full toss that allows Abigail Freeborn a welcome four.

    We're at halfway and the Sparks need 37 runs to meet Southern Vipers in the final.

  6. Postpublished at 9 overs

    Sparks 62-4 (Target 105)

    Great work from Bryony Smith. Two for eight off her two overs to give the Stars a glimmer of hope.

    Two new batters in Gwen Davies and Abigail Freeborn and the early momentum lost for the Sparks.

  7. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 8.2 overs

    Campbell b Smith 1 (Stars 60-4)

    Is this game on?

    Ami Campbell had scored one off her first four balls before she comes charging down the wicket to Bryony Smith and is bowled.

    Three wickets have now fallen for one run and still 45 more needed.

  8. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 7.2 overs

    E Jones c Smith b Gregory 29 (Stars 59-3)

    Eve Jones, what have you done?

    Gifted a rank long hop by new bowler Danielle Gregory, she doesn't time it at all and scoops it to Bryony Smith at short midwicket.

    In terms of the game, exactly what the Stars wanted. On a personal note, a slight disappointment as I was enjoying watching Eve Jones bat.

  9. 'Too little, too late'published at 13:58 British Summer Time 11 June 2022

    Clive Eakin
    BBC CWR Sport

    That's a really good, low take by Phoebe Franklin. It may be too little, too late for the Stars, but if catches win matches, that one certainly deserves to.

  10. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 7 overs

    A Jones c Franklin b Smith 17 (Sparks 59-2)

    Bryony Smith into the attack. Let's be honest, the Stars need her to be some kind of miracle worker.

    Full tosses are not part of the plan and Amy Jones' score goes up by four.

    Her eyes light up when Smith drops short off the last ball, only to pick out Phoebe Franklin at short midwicket and she takes an excellent low catch.

    Credit to Smith, she has removed one of the Jones'.

  11. Postpublished at 6 overs

    Sparks 53-1 (Target 105)

    Shot! Pitched up and driven through cover for four - well played Eve Jones.

    And in a case of keeping up with the Joneses, Amy swipes one through midwicket for another boundary to bring up the 50.

    Over halfway to victory with 14 overs left and nine wickets in the hutch.

  12. Postpublished at 13:51 British Summer Time 11 June 2022

    Kirstie Gordon
    Lightning and England spin bowler

    That was a brilliant pick-up by Amy Jones, and just shows her class. Up and over fine leg. Fantastic shot.

  13. Postpublished at 5 overs

    Sparks 43-1 (Target 105)

    That is a gift for a player of Amy Jones' ability. A half-volley down legside and she sends the ball on its way for four.

    The only really bad ball of Phoebe Franklin's over, but it still cost eight runs.

  14. Postpublished at 4 overs

    Sparks 35-1 (Target 105)

    Kalea Moore concedes just a single from her first over to go with the wicket of Wong. That was essential.

    Now we have the delight of Eve Jones and Amy Jones at the crease together. Apologies in advance for any mistakes!

  15. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 3.1 overs

    Wong b Moore 11 (Sparks 34-1)

    The spin of Kalea Moore is introduced in the fourth over. Genius or desperation?

    Well, it works straight away. A bit of spin and when Issy Wong goes for a big heave, she misses and the ball hits the stumps.

  16. 6 runs

    Postpublished at 3 overs

    Sparks 34-0 (Target 105)

    Issy Wong gets in on the act. A glorious piece of timing as her shot over the onside goes all the way.

    When Eve Jones gets back on strike, she steers over the offside field for four more.

    Less than 80 needed already. This is looking ominous for the Stars.

  17. Postpublished at 2 overs

    Sparks 23-0 (Target 105)

    Eve JonesImage source, Getty Images

    Short, wide and Eve Jones gives it the treatment - an easy four.

    Emma Jones makes the same mistake again and the batter helps herself to four more.

    And a third four of the over, but this time, it's a glorious lofted drive over the bowler's head - dominant batting from Eve Jones.

    Oh no, a fourth boundary. A nice stroke from Jones, but it really should be stopped on the edge.

    17 off a very expensive over.

  18. 'Freebie' for Sparkspublished at 13:34 British Summer Time 11 June 2022

    Kirstie Gordon
    Lightning and England spin bowler

    Bit of a freebie there from Davies - it was wide, with no cover.

  19. Postpublished at 1 over

    Sparks 6-0 (Target 105)

    Wides are not helpful for the Stars and one from Freya Davies gets the scoreboard going.

    Eve Jones gets a single before Issy Wong is given a bit of room to free her arms and she crunches one through the covers to the boundary.

    Wong goes for another big hit off the final ball but inside edges it back into her pad.

  20. Postpublished at 0 overs

    Sparks 0-0 (Target 105)

    So 105 does not feel like a big target to chase down. If the Sparks play properly, they should do this with something to spare.

    Thank goodness for all of us, sport doesn't always work like that!

    Freya Davies to open the bowling for the South East Stars. She will need to hit her straps from the off.