The Blaze lose at last as Bears prevail, Essex end losing run

WOMEN'S T20 BLAST ROUNDUP: Sterre Kalis and Em Erlott star as Bears end The Blaze's unbeaten start to the competition

Chester-le-Street: Durham 101-8, Essex 105-4 - Essex won by six wickets

A devastating new-ball burst from seamers Esmae MacGregor and Kate Coppack helped Essex snap a four-game losing streak in the T20 Blast as they eased past Durham by six wickets at Chester-le-Street.

MacGregor and Coppack claimed two wickets apiece as Durham, inserted,  slipped to 17 for 4 in four overs, only able to recover to an under-par 101 for 8 total. Both fast bowlers finished with two wickets apiece.

Essex then reeled that in with comfort - with three overs remaining - to secure their first win in five and their third win in eight overall. Former England wicketkeeper-opener Lauren Winfield-Hill top-scored with 29 off 22 balls.

Essex jumped up to fifth in the table with this four-point success, while Durham have now lost six in eight. Essex still have plenty of work to do to secure a top-three finish for Finals Day qualification, though second-bottom Durham require a miracle.

Related: Surrey handle pressure better to secure win over Lancashire

Related: The Blaze take Surrey's unbeaten record after tale of two powerplays

Edgbaston: Bears 172-6, The Blaze 147-8 - Bears won by 25 runs

Bears handed The Blaze their first defeat of the Women's T20 Blast campaign, by 25 runs, in a clash of two of the competition's front-runners at Edgbaston.

The hosts' total of 172 for 6 was built upon strong contributions from their top three, with Sterre Kalis hitting 54 (41 balls), Meg Austin 39 (30) and Davina Perrin 25 (18).

Thereafter, runs came less freely as Kathryn Bryce dismissed those three on the way to an excellent 4 for 21

The Blaze replied with a scrappy 147 for 8.

Tammy Beaumont hit 44 (29) but the rest of the powerful batting line-up misfired against the home side’s excellent and varied attack led by the pace of Em Arlott (3 for 33) and the spin of Millie Taylor (2 for 23). 

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• Controversial catch proves inconsequential as Surrey cruise to victory
• Nat Sciver-Brunt returns as The Blaze continue unbeaten start, Somerset denied first win
• Charis Pavely holds nerve as Bears beat Essex
• Bess Heath guides Durham to win while Bears beat Hampshire
• Surrey handle pressure better to secure win over Lancashire