South East Stars Crush Northern Diamonds to Secure Home Semi-Final
South East Stars secured a home semi-final in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with a dominant 156-run victory over Northern Diamonds at Durham.
New-ball seamer Alexa Stonehouse starred for the Stars, claiming a career-best 4 for 27 as the Diamonds were bowled out for a paltry 119 in 37 overs. Alice Davidson-Richards anchored the Stars’ innings with a season-best 79, while Emma Jones contributed a career-best 47.
The Diamonds, who had already secured top spot in the group stage, failed to match the intensity of the Stars. Rachel Slater and Abi Glen dismissed the Stars’ openers, but Davidson-Richards and Phoebe Franklin steadied the ship.
Franklin’s 32 included a six over long-off, while Davidson-Richards reached her fifty off 56 balls. A 50-stand between Davidson-Richards and Aylish Cranstone gave the Stars a platform, and they capitalized on sloppy fielding and loose bowling from the Diamonds.
Davidson-Richards pulled Beth Langston for six but was caught the next ball. Jones fell just short of a maiden senior fifty, caught by Erin Burns.
The Diamonds’ chase got off to a disastrous start as Tilly Corteen-Coleman dismissed Lauren Winfield-Hill. Stonehouse then took three wickets in quick succession, including opener Emma Marlow and Langston. Franklin bowled Sterre Kalis, leaving the Diamonds reeling at 30 for 5.
Turner resisted with a career-best 49, but Stonehouse returned to complete her 10-over allocation. Spinners Dani Gregory and Kalea Moore (3 for 10) wrapped up the Stars’ victory.
The Stars will now host a semi-final, while the Diamonds will reflect on a disappointing end to their campaign.