Women’s One-Day Cup: Wins for Hampshire, Somerset, Yorkshire and Lancashire

A half-century and four wickets from all-rounder Fi Morris sealed a rare win for Lancashire against The Blaze.

The Red Rose, who have endured a disappointing season in both formats, successfully defended a target of 239 as their opponents could only make 211 all out despite 64 from Tammy Beaumont.

The hosts got off to a stodgy start and with returning Australian Katie Mack departing in the 16th over, Lancashire were struggling on 68-3.

Their hopes worsened with skipper Ellie Threlkeld’s dismissal, lbw attempting to sweep Charley Phillips, which left the Red Rose 91-4.

Seren Smale and Morris then built the innings’ defining partnership with the latter’s half-century coming off 63 balls.

Morris was stumped and Smale departed for 51 but the pair had added 94 runs before Lancashire’s effort closed on 239 all out off the final ball of the innings.

With the sun coming out, The Blaze made the most of the conditions and eased their way to 50 without loss.

It took until the 15th over for Vinali Weerappuli to make the breakthrough with the wicket of Marie Kelly before the 16-year-old leg-break bowler next accounted for Charli Knott stumped for three.

Morris then dispatched Georgia Elwiss and Emma Jones in successive overs to leave the visitors 98-4.

A watchful Beaumont remained and she brought up her half-century off 77 balls.

Beaumont looked to be the key wicket and it was the spin of Hannah Jones that claimed the prize when the England international was bowled, quickly followed by Ella Claridge who was stumped for two to hand Morris her third wicket.

Morris struck again as Prisha Thanawala (39) holed out to Kate Cross and when Grace Ballinger did the same off Cross, The Blaze were 185-8.

It was left to Grace Potts and Cross to claim the final two wickets as Lancashire registered a much-needed win.