Blaze triumph at T20 County Cup Finals despite Manchester rain
Blaze claim second T20 County Cup title in dramatic Finals Day
The Blaze have etched their names into women’s cricket history by claiming the T20 Women’s County Cup title, following hot on the heels of Lancashire’s inaugural victory last year. What should have been a straightforward day of cricket at Old Trafford turned into a weather-affected marathon, with persistent rain forcing organisers to reduce all matches to abbreviated formats. The competition finally got underway just before 5pm, with semi-finals limited to just five overs each—a far cry from the traditional Twenty20 format cricket enthusiasts across the South East, from Guildford to Woking and beyond, are accustomed to watching. Despite the challenging conditions and extended delays that tested players’ concentration and patience, The Blaze demonstrated remarkable composure and skill. They dispatched Essex convincingly in their semi-final encounter before facing Surrey in a thrilling final that went down to the wire. The victory represents The Blaze’s second significant trophy haul this summer, building on their July T20 Blast triumph and consolidating their position as genuine contenders across multiple formats of women’s domestic cricket.
Bryce’s masterclass steers Blaze past Surrey in thrilling final
Scottish international Kathryn Bryce produced a performance for the ages when it mattered most, combining devastating bowling with controlled batting to guide The Blaze to victory. Her spell of 4-18 dismantled Surrey’s innings, restricting the South East rivals to 91-8 from their 13 overs. Bryce’s ability to execute under pressure—much like a skilled craftsman planning a complex bathroom refurbishment or kitchen renovation project—proved the difference. When The Blaze took to the crease, Bryce stepped up again, scoring an unbeaten 38 to steer her team to victory with six balls remaining. Emma Jones contributed a valuable 22 from 14 deliveries, while Georgia Elwiss built crucial momentum with 17 runs. Bryce’s younger sister Sarah, wicketkeeper for The Blaze, added her own match-winning moments with vital dismissals. The partnership between Bryce and Elwiss proved particularly decisive, their 40-run stand from just four overs essentially securing the trophy. This dual contribution—excelling with both bat and ball—exemplifies the all-round cricket talent developing in women’s domestic competitions and demonstrates why players like Bryce continue attracting attention from national selectors and cricket enthusiasts across Surrey’s vibrant sporting communities.
What’s next for The Blaze: trophy treble within reach
The Blaze now stand on the precipice of an extraordinary achievement. Beyond their T20 Blast victory and County Cup triumph, they’re significantly clear at the top of the One-Day Cup standings—positioning themselves for a potential trophy treble this summer. This unprecedented success is cause for celebration across cricket communities from East Horsley to Dorking and beyond, where young cricketers look to established teams as inspiration. For supporters wanting to stay updated on The Blaze’s pursuit of this historic feat, keeping tabs on upcoming One-Day Cup fixtures is essential. The team’s consistent excellence demonstrates the strength of women’s domestic cricket development pathways in the region. Local residents should recognise that hosting major Finals Days—even when weather intervenes—brings significant sporting prestige and economic benefits to host communities. Looking ahead, cricket enthusiasts should monitor The Blaze’s remaining fixtures closely. With momentum firmly behind them and star performers like Kathryn Bryce firing on all cylinders, the prospect of completing the treble represents not just a personal achievement for the squad, but validation of investment in women’s cricket infrastructure and development. Communities invested in supporting their local sporting heroes should prepare for what could be a memorable conclusion to an exceptional summer.
Source: T20 Women’s County Cup Finals Day: Kathryn Bryce stars as Blaze beat Surrey
