Maia Bouchier’s seventh half-century in her past nine innings helped Hampshire Hawks cruise to victory over Lancashire Thunder, a result that moved them back to the top of the Vitality Women’s Blast table.
Previous leaders Surrey were stunned by Essex, for whom Anneke Bosch scored her highest T20 score of 84 not out in a nine-wicket win.
Durham moved above Surrey into second after a five-wicket win over fourth-placed The Blaze, with Mady Villiers taking 4-14 and captain Hollie Armitage scoring 69.
And struggling Yorkshire made it back-to-back wins, beating Warwickshire by five wickets and ending the Bears’ slim hopes of qualification for Finals Day on 17 July.
At the Utilita Bowl, a brilliant unbeaten 77 in 45 balls from Hampshire Hawks‘ Bouchier maintained her outstanding form, with her current run of high scores all coming after she was left out of England’s T20 World Cup squad.
A stifled Lancashire Lightning were 44-3 at the halfway mark. Emma Lamb went on to top score with 30, while captain Ellie Threlkald hit 25 off 17 balls, but three wickets in the final over, including a run out, saw Lancashire bowled out for 131.
It was Nancy Harman who polished off the innings, ending with 3-9 in nine balls, after Poppy Tulloch had bowled her second no-ball and was withdrawn from the attack.
The score never looked enough as Bouchier hit nine fours and three sixes, and captain Georgia Adams joined her to score 37 off 25 balls to complete the victory.