Hollie Armitage’s 81 off 55 balls was in vain as Durham Women suffered an eight wicket defeat to the Blaze in the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup last 16 at Lady Bay.
93 from Georgia Elwiss backed by 53 from England batter Tammy Beaumont saw the home side cruise to victory inside 19 overs chasing down 167.
Durham skipper Hollie Armitage played a key role for Durham top scoring in her sides tally off 162 with Emma Marlow (23), Bess Heath (21) and Grace Thompson (17) the other contributors.
The Blaze won the toss and were in the action straight away as Leah Dobson playing her first game for Durham since July last year fell for just one as she feathered behind to Ella Claridge in the third over to give Grace Ballinger her first wicket.
Mia Rogers scored a run a ball 14 which included three fours but was stumped on the final ball of the powerplay as Durham closed the opening 6 on 34/2.
Armitage took a liking to Josie Groves with 10 off the seventh over hitting two fours off the opening two balls, as Durham brought up their 50 in the 7th over with an Armitage paddle.
Armitage and Bess Heath had Durham going well at 7 an over but Heath was dismissed for 20 going for a second run thanks to a Georgie Boyce run out – with Durham 71/2 at the halfway stage.
Skipper Armitage brought up her half-century with a six off Groves, with her half-century coming off 34 balls.
Emma Marlow brought some extra impetuous to the innings after the run out of Heath, scoring a quick fire 23 off 10 balls – with Durham 119/4 going into the final five.
Grace Thompson and Armitage added 47 off 31 balls before Thompson was caught off Michaela Kirk bowled by Georgia Elwiss for 16 as Durham closed their innings on 167/5.
Durham got off to the perfect response in reply as Trudy Johnson bowled The Blaze captain Marie Kelly first ball – but the powerplay went the way of the Blaze who scored 70/1 off the opening six.
Tammy Beaumont and George Elwiss shared a second wicket stand of 110 – which was eventually broken when Beaumont hit Sophia Turner to cow corner for 53 but Elwiss unbeaten 93 and Michaela Kirk 17 off 17 saw The Blaze home with 9 balls to spare.