The Blaze secured direct qualification to the Metro Bank Women’s One-Day Cup final after thrashing Essex by nine wickets at Queen’s Park in Chesterfield.
Kirstie Gordon’s side are now one victory away from a historic domestic treble, having already captured the Vitality Blast and Vitality T20 County Cup titles this season.
Bryce Sisters Anchor Chase
Chasing a modest target of 160, the visitors lost former England international Tammy Beaumont early when Esmae MacGregor clipped her off stump.
Scotland internationals Sarah and Kathryn Bryce then took complete control to construct an unbeaten 132-run stand.
Sarah Bryce finished on 70 not out, striking 10 boundaries.
Kathryn Bryce contributed an unbeaten 67, hitting 12 fours and a six to seal the victory with 185 deliveries remaining.
Their unbroken stand concluded the chase in just 19.1 overs, providing a clinical display of rapid scoring that bypassed the attritional phases seen during the recent Duleep Trophy final.
Gordon Restricts Essex Batters
Earlier, The Blaze won the toss and elected to bowl.
Essex captain Grace Scrivens anchored her side’s innings with a 116-ball 70, but Sophie Smale was the only other batter to pass 20.
The hosts were ultimately dismissed for 159 in the 46th over.
Left-arm spinner Gordon claimed three wickets for 25 runs.
Kathryn Bryce, Lucy Higham and Cassidy McCarthy collected two wickets apiece, finding consistent movement comparable to the early spells Marufa Akter delivers in international cricket.
The Blaze will contest the final on September 19 at the Utilita Bowl against the winner of Wednesday’s eliminator between Hampshire and either Surrey or Somerset.
