Harriet Robson scores a speedy 78 and Freya Rook takes five wickets as Durham Women’s Academy break-even against The Blaze in a T20 double header at Willington.
The Blaze recorded a convincing win in the opening game after being put in to bat by Robson. Rainfall after one over reduced the match to 19 overs per side.
The hosts struck twice in the powerplay through Freya Rook and Amelie Butterwick and continued to take regular wickets, reducing the Nottinghamshire-based side to 80 for six after 13 overs.
A partnership of 54 in 36 balls saw The Blaze post a total of 134/6 in their 20 overs, Butterwick and Rook shared five wickets and Laura Trotter added a scalp to her name.
Durham struggled in response with five wickets falling during the powerplay. Andrews, Roff and Fidler claimed two wickets each for the visitors as they completed a 59-run win inside 14 overs.
The visitors opted to bat first in the second encounter but found themselves 38 for three after six overs, thanks to Rook’s trio of wickets.
Faith Teekasingh held The Blaze’s innings together, forging 51 from 47 balls. Kate Million struck twice as Durham continued to make inroads and Trotter and Ava Broady laid acclaim to a wicket each as the visitors closed on 134 for seven.
Robson kickstarted Durham’s innings with 27 runs from her first 18 deliveries and continued to score at a pace in a 71-run wicket stand for the second wicket.
Robson’s 78 came from 47 balls and included 11 fours with three maximums. The opening batter was dismissed in the 15th over with Durham 107/2, needing a further 30 for victory.
Emma Thompson (25*) and Amy Hurst (12*) were able to conclude Durham’s chase in the penultimate over as the hosts ran out winners by eight wickets.