Charlotte Stubbs and Emily Whiting were in the runs as Durham Women’s Academy rounded off their 2025 season with a narrow defeat to The Blaze at Worksop College.
Harriet Robson made 35 in a 50-run opening stand with Emma Thompson before the hosts claimed three wickets in quick succession with both openers and Amy Hurst dismissed.
Whiting and Stubbs then steadied things with a partnership of 66, taking Durham to 122 before Stubbs was caught for 44 from 30 balls hitting seven fours.
Whiting continued in the middle in a patient knock of 43 as the top order batter shared 47 with Abi Glen.
Ava Broady made an unbeaten 31 as Durham made it to 229 before losing their final three wickets for nine runs, ending up all out for 238.
D’Nica Roff and IR Williamson were the pick of The Blaze bowlers as they claimed three wickets apiece whilst Hayva Abbott took a pair of scalps.
Glen struck early for the visitors, dismissing Annie Williams cheaply before bowling Faith Teekasingh to disrupt a 43-run partnership.
Diya Badge top scored for the hosts with 63 and she got them back on track with a stand of 52 for the third wicket as the Nottinghamshire-based side reached three figures.
Wickets began to fall at a pace after that, as Durham reduced the hosts from 100/2 to 141/6. Whiting struck twice alongside one each for Freya Rook and Amelie Butterwick.
Flora Davies was still at the crease for The Blaze though and the 17-year-old became their second half-centurion of the day as she made 57 from 47 before becoming the first of two wickets claimed by Mae Deaville in the 36th over.
This left the hosts on 196/8 requiring 43 to win but Abbott (23*) and Roff (20*) managed to edge The Blaze home with two wickets to spare.