The Blaze 256-6 (Prendergast 67, K Bryce 66) beat Durham Women 252-9 (Villiers 79, Windsor 54) by four wickets, Trent Bridge
Orla Prendergast and Kathryn Bryce, two all-rounders who rarely fuss, put on 107 in 18 overs to turn what could have been an awkward chase into a fairly routine one for The Blaze. Their half-centuries – 67 from 79 balls for the Irish right-hander, 66 off 72 for Scotland’s captain – set up a win that secures a Metro Bank One-Day Cup semi-final spot.
“Just tried to keep the board ticking, really,” Prendergast said afterwards. “The pitch was skidding on and we knew a couple of steady partnerships would do it.”
Durham, who had chosen to bat under clear skies, fashioned 252 for nine thanks mainly to Mady Villiers’ best List-A score of 79 and a handy 54 from Emily Windsor. At 107 for three after 25 overs they appeared on course for something bigger, yet The Blaze’s bowlers stayed in the contest and chipped away. Georgia Elwiss, ever the metronome, picked up two for 40 – her second wicket her 200th in women’s List-A cricket.
Skipper Kirstie Gordon also claimed two, as did Kathryn Bryce, while Grace Ballinger and Lucy Higham kept things tight at the death. Higham’s figures – one for 34 from her ten – add perspective: scoring never felt completely easy on a surface that offered just enough grip to make length bowling awkward.
Durham’s innings was dotted with bright moments. Villiers cracked a dozen fours, mostly through the off side, and lofted Higham for one imperious pull that sailed over mid-wicket. When Windsor joined her, the pair added 75 and threatened to break loose, only for Gordon to skid one through Villiers’ defence. From 210 for seven in the 45th, useful blows from Katherine Fraser – two slog-swept sixes off Bryce – lifted the visitors past 250.
Chasing 253, The Blaze lost Georgie Boyce early, bowled by Katie Levick’s first ball that dipped and straightened. Sarah Bryce feathered a glance behind off Phoebe Turner and at 47 for two Durham’s tails were up. Then came the decisive stand. Prendergast was fluent through the covers; Bryce busied singles and punished width. Levick, usually miserly, disappeared over long-on twice in three balls as Prendergast moved past fifty.
Durham needed something special and briefly had hope when Levick trapped Bryce in front – 154 for three in the 32nd – but Elwiss arrived, nurdled, and refused to budge. Even when Prendergast holed out to long-off with 50 still required, The Blaze batters kept their heads. “Georgia’s calmness helps everyone,” Bryce noted. Elwiss finished unbeaten on 46 from 45, collecting the winning runs with a scurried brace off Sophia Turner in the penultimate over.
The equation is now straightforward. Beat Essex on Saturday and The Blaze host next Wednesday’s semi-final. Durham still have a mathematical chance – they must defeat Surrey and hope other matches fall their way – though they leave Nottingham knowing lapses, rather than any gulf in quality, cost them.
It was that kind of contest: competitive, absorbing and decided, as ever, by those who held their nerve longest.
