Diamonds shine again in another tight finish

NORTHERN DIAMONDS’ captain Hollie Armitage admitted she was relieved her team came out on the right side of another tight finish - for the second time in as many games.

After posting 311-9 from their 50 overs in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy clash against South East Stars at beckenham, the Diamonds looked to be on course for coming off second-best as Sophia Dunkley led the charge for the hosts at Beckenham.

But the England batter was run out in the last over for a supreme 130, her team eventually falling three short runs short.

It was the second narrow win for the Diamonds in five days, having beaten Central Sparks by one run on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Armitage had top-scored with 66 from 70 balls, Bess Heath not far behind with 63 from 62 balls, Sterre Kalis weighing in with an important 52.

Erin Burns was the pick of the Diamonds’ bowlers with 2-62 from her 10 overs. “In the last few games we’ve had a few close finishes. It always keeps everyone on their toes a tight finish like that, but we’re happy to be on the winning side.

“I think when you’ve got someone that’s on 120 not out in the last over you think anything can happen.

"Dunks obviously batted extremely well and I’m sure she would have wanted to take it over the line but Burnsie bowled extremely well and executed her plans.

“She’s obviously a very experienced player and she’s been in those situations before so she was able to get us over the line. Some people (would panic) but she knew exactly what she needed to do and was cool, calm and collected.

“We spoke as a batting unit recently about how we want to go about our cricket and a people stepped up today, which is very exciting.”