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Sunrisers’ Cordelia Griffith and Jodi Grewcock shared a century stand to seal their side’s resounding seven-wicket win over Northern Diamonds and a first ever appearance in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final.
They will play South East Stars, who beat Southern Vipers in the other semi, at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester next Saturday.
Griffith top scored with 68 from 89 balls, while Grewcock hit 63 not out from 68 as the pair put together a 134 partnership after captain Grace Scrivens’ 56 from 73 had set the foundations for them to chase down the target of 233 at Headingley.
Diamonds opener Emma Marlow top scored for the three-time finalists with 63 as her side posted 232-8 from 50 overs, but they never looked capable of defending that and Sunrisers triumphed with 38 balls to spare.
Sunrisers’ success completed a remarkable transformation in 50-over cricket during the last two seasons, having failed to register a single victory in their first 20 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches.
Diamonds made steady progress after opting to bat as they reached 139-2, with Marlow’s third half-century of the tournament backed up by Sterre Kalis, who was run out on 49 going back for a second.
But Kate Coppack, whose 10 overs cost just 29, took a return catch to remove Marlow and fellow seamer Eva Gray claimed two wickets in her second spell as the home side slumped to 185-7.
A late flurry of hitting by Phoebe Turner, whose undefeated 32 used up just 15 deliveries, boosted the Diamonds’ total by 51 in the last four overs – but they were unable to carry that momentum into their bowling effort.
Scrivens and Jo Gardner built an opening partnership of 70 from 14 overs and they stayed with the required rate throughout as Diamonds’ bowlers struggled to establish any element of control.
Leg-spinner Katie Levick gave her side a glimmer of hope with the wicket of Scrivens, lbw playing back and across, but Griffith and Grewcock continued to chip away relentlessly at the target.
Griffith fell to Levick with just eight required and it was left to Lissy MacLeod to apply the finishing touch, slamming Marlow for successive fours to clinch victory.
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