MATCH REPORT: Thunder record emphatic roses win at York
Naomi Dattani starred with bat and ball as Thunder registered their first win of this season’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with a six-wicket victory over Northern Diamonds in York.
Dattani claimed four wickets to help bowl Diamonds out for 167 and played a crucial innings of 46, sharing a 98-run stand with Deandra Dottin - who made 54 - as Thunder completed their chase with 12.2 overs to spare.
Lauren Winfield-Hill top-scored for Diamonds with 33, but their total never appeared enough as the defending champions slipped to their fourth defeat of the competition.
The Diamonds’ innings was a story of wickets falling at regular intervals as Thunder produced an excellent display with the ball and in the field.
Openers Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis began patiently but solidly, reaching 37 without loss after 10 overs having been asked to bat first.
Winfield-Hill looked set for her fifth half-century of the competition as she began to move through the gears, but she was the first wicket to fall - superbly caught behind by Ellie Threlkeld to hand Dattani her first scalp.
Kalis departed six balls later, bowled by Laura Jackson for 21, to leave Diamonds 58 for two after 14.1 overs.
From there, the hosts struggled to build any momentum as Thunder kept things under control with regular breakthroughs.
Hollie Armitage fell for six, bowled by Dattani, before Marlow was well run out for nine by Liberty Heap to make it 88 for four.
Diamonds reached the halfway stage on 102 for four and Bess Heath and Chloe Tryon both began positively.
But Thunder were impressive in the field and Dottin ran Heath out as she attempted a second to fall for 17 before Tryon was bowled by Fi Morris for 14.
Leah Dobson also started brightly, launching a couple of excellent boundaries, but Heap struck twice in the 36th over to dismiss her for 13 and Lizzie Scott for six to leave Diamonds struggling on 136 for eight.
Morris bowled 10 excellent overs on the bounce, taking one for 27.
Katie Levick tried to offer late impetus with two boundaries off Dottin, but Dattani (four for 16) returned to wrap the innings up, having Levick caught by Morris for 11 before Grace Hall edged behind for 13 as Diamonds were all out in the 44th over.
Thunder began their chase of a modest target with intent, reaching 32 for one after five overs - Seren Smale perishing a ball earlier, bowled by Lizzie Scott for a brisk 15.
Diamonds were sloppy with the ball, conceding 13 extras in the first seven overs and that allowed Thunder to take charge at 52 for one after 10.
England opener Emma Lamb, omitted from the ODI Ashes squad named on Monday, was key to Thunder’s hopes and she looked in good touch.
But the introduction of spinner Levick turned the tide in Diamonds’ favour. First Lamb was trapped lbw for 21 and Morris went for a duck three balls later as Thunder were suddenly 58 for three.
Thunder pair of Dattani and Dottin found runs hard to come by but had ticked their side on to 85 for three after 20 overs, before there was a 12-minute rain interruption.
At the halfway mark, Thunder were 93 for three, needing another 75.
Dattani and Dottin appeared to have assessed their low required run rate and a tricky pitch, batting with great patience to edge towards their target.
Dottin reached her half-century from 88 balls in the 37th over before Dattani was trapped lbw by Tryon to end their decisive stand with just 12 more needed.
Ellie Threlkeld hit the winning run as Thunder ended their wait for a win.
