The Cricketer reviews the best of the action during round two of the 50-over competition in 2024
Leicester: The Blaze 126, South East Stars 127-2 - South East Stars won by eight wickets
England seam-bowling prospect Ryana MacDonald-Gay took a career-best 5 for 31 before opener Tash Farrant continued her fine start to the season with an unbeaten 68 as South East Stars made it two wins from two by thumping The Blaze in their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy clash in Leicester.
England star Farrant, who hit a career-best 94 as Stars opened with a victory over holders Southern Vipers last weekend, led the way as Bryony Smith's side eased to an eight-wicket win with a 159 balls to spare.
It could have been more comfortable still but for a competition-record partnership saving The Blaze's blushes after they had been reduced to 49 for 8 after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Skipper Kirstie Gordon and No.11 Grace Ballinger's stand of 77 was the highest for the 10th wicket by any side since the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy was launched in 2020.
England's Sarah Glenn returned for The Blaze for her first action since suffering a concussion injury a month ago but last season's runners-up were still without four first-choice players because of international commitments with three others injured.
Hollie Armitage led from the front for Diamonds against Western Storm [Paul Harding/Getty Images]
Headingley: Northern Diamonds 275-9, Western Storm 265 - Northern Diamonds won by 10 runs
A fabulous 103 from new England star Hollie Armitage led the Northern Diamonds to a come-from-behind 10-run victory over Western Storm in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Headingley.
Inserted, Diamonds slipped to 89 for 5 in the 21st over before captain Armitage led the fightback to 275 for 9 during her 114-ball innings with 13 fours.
Allrounder Abi Glen also crashed a late 53 not out off 46 - her maiden regional fifty - during the first half of an engaging contest and later claimed three wickets with her seamers.
Dani Gibson struck twice with the new ball and finished with 3 for 44 for Storm. But it was Armitage who won the battle of the England team-mates, leading her side to a second successive victory after Saturday's win over Thunder.
In reply, Storm were well placed at 127 for 2 in the 23rd over, only to fall to 265 all out in the last over when they needed 12 to win. Armitage will take the headlines, but Phoebe Turner also impressed with three wickets following 32 with the bat.
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Wormsley: Central Sparks 172-9, Southern Vipers 173-3 - Southern Vipers won by seven wickets
Australian Charli Knott continued to impress with bat and ball as Southern Vipers secured the first victory of their defence of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
For the second game in a row, Knott picked up two spin wickets but upgraded the 41 she scored against South East Stars into an unbeaten 58 to set up a seven-wicket victory over Central Sparks.
Katie George had saved Sparks from a collapse with a classy 52 to give her side 151 to defend.
But Ella McCaughan's patient 43, Maia Bouchier's elegant 43 and Knott's in-control innings gave Vipers an uncomplicated bonus point win.
Katie Mack struck 100 in 110 balls for Thunder at Old Trafford (Lancashire Cricket)
Old Trafford: Thunder 292-5, Sunrisers 150 - Thunder won by 142 runs
A century from Australian Katie Mack and a record-breaking partnership of 191 runs for the third wicket ensured Lancashire Thunder got off the mark in style with a commanding 142-run victory over Sunrisers at Emirates Old Trafford in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
Thunder had lost their opening game in the competition by nine wickets to Northern Diamonds but there was no apparent hangover from that error-strewn performance.
Mack and third-wicket partner Fi Morris, who hit 89, took the hosts to a daunting total of 292 for 5 before Sunrisers were bundled out for just 150 in reply.
Related: Fi Morris and Katie Mack turn poor start into record-breaking day for Thunder
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