Elwiss century steers Vipers to Trophy win

Georgia Elwiss hit a magnificent unbeaten century as Southern Vipers beat the Blaze by four wickets in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

Elwiss won the game at Chesterfield with a six off Kathryn Bryce to reach 101 not out off 110 balls, with four deliveries remaining.

Heather Graham earlier top-scored with 78 off just 59 deliveries as The Blaze were bowled out for 278, with 16 balls of their innings unused.

And that may have made the difference as Elwiss and 18-year-old Abi Norgrove (64) added 136 to help see the Vipers home on 281-6.

It was the sixth win from eight games for the 2023 Trophy winners, while The Blaze - who last month won the 20-over Charlotte Edwards Cup - suffered their fifth defeat in the longer format of the women's domestic game.

The Bryces - Kathryn and Sarah - made 65 and 48 in a second-wicket stand of 71 for the home side, but it was Graham who provided the real momentum, hitting a six and 12 fours.

She was ninth to go, caught at the start of the 48th over off Mary Taylor, who ended the innings by removing Cassidy McCarthy with her next delivery for figures of 3-32.

Following the early loss of Charli Knott, Vipers skipper Georgia Adams stabilised their innings with 47 before she was run out attempting a second run by Lucy Higham's throw.

Vipers were 124-4 when Emily Windsor followed later in the over, but Elwiss found a perfect partner in England Under-19 international Norgrove.

Elwiss - who made an unbeaten 65 in the previous game against Western Storm -reached 50 off 60 balls, three fewer than her partner, who pulled Kirstie Gordon for six to leave Vipers needing 24 off the last four overs.

Norgrove was caught at mid-wicket off Bryce, who then bowled Alice Monaghan, but Graham's penultimate over of the game cost The Blaze 12 runs and following a leg bye at the start of the last, Elwiss ended the game with a maximum.

Vipers are four points clear of South East Stars, who have a game in hand, at the top of the table.

Cheltenham: Western Storm v Northern Diamonds

Blackpool: Thunder v South East Stars

Radlett: Sunrisers v Central Sparks

All games start 10:30 BST