Blaze dismiss in-form Essex only to see momentum

THE Blaze got their double-header weekend off to a great start by beating Essex Women by seven wickets on Friday night - but their early season momentum was then halted on Saturday as heavy rain washed out their game against bottom side Somerset Women

- writes Nigel Gardner, of the ECB Reporters Network.

Kathryn Bryce starred with bat and ball as The Blaze saw off Essex in the Vitality Blast match at the Central Co-op County Ground Derby.

Despite losing opening bowler Grace Ballinger to injury after one ball, The Blaze delivered a disciplined display in the field with Bryce taking 2 for 11 and Cassidy McCarthy 2 for 22.

Essex were bowled out for 104, Jo Gardner making 22, but that proved inadequate with Bryce scoring a run a ball unbeaten 51 to seal a bonus point win with 35 balls to spare.

The Blaze suffered a setback at the start when Ballinger pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and had to leave the field.

But it was Essex who had problems to solve when they lost three wickets in the powerplay.

Bryce took over from Ballinger and, with her fourth delivery, had Lauren Winfield-Hill lbw playing across the line.

Essex then lost two wickets in the fourth over. A brilliant piece of fielding by Ella Claridge at gully ran out Lissy Macleod before Cordelia Griffith top edged a pull to mid on.

Grace Scrivens and Madeline Penna were beginning to repair the damage when they both fell in quick succession.

Scrivens top edged a reverse sweep at Josie Groves and was caught at point before Penna missed a conventional sweep at Kirstie Gordon to leave Essex on 44 for 5.