The South East Stars have secured their place in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final after a thrilling three-wicket victory over the Southern Vipers in a semi-final that went down to the wire.
The Vipers posted a competitive 220 for 9 from their 50 overs, with Nancy Harman top-scoring with 38. Tilly Corteen-Coleman was the pick of the Stars’ bowlers, claiming 3 for 33.
The Stars’ chase got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets for just 10 runs. However, a remarkable partnership of 90 from 86 balls between Alice Davidson-Richards and Kalea Moore turned the tide in their favor.
Davidson-Richards, who was dropped on 31, remained unbeaten on 90, while Moore contributed an unbeaten 52. The duo’s heroics propelled the Stars to victory with just seven balls to spare.
The Vipers’ innings was anchored by Harman and Alice Monaghan, who put on a 48-run partnership for the seventh wicket. However, Corteen-Coleman and Davidson-Richards combined to dismiss both batters in quick succession.
The Stars’ chase was also marked by a crucial dropped catch by Naomi Dattani, who spilled a simple chance offered by Davidson-Richards when she was on 31. This proved to be a pivotal moment in the match, as Davidson-Richards went on to play a match-winning knock.
The Stars will now face the Sunrisers in the final at Grace Road on Saturday, while the Vipers’ season comes to an end.
