NIAMH HOLLAND HITS 92 TO SECURE SOMERSET VITALITY BLAST WIN

Niamh Holland scored an unbeaten 92 from 54 balls to guide Somerset to a two-wicket victory over Essex in the Vitality Blast at Chelmsford. The 21-year-old all-rounder's highest score in the competition ended Somerset's losing streak and maintained their prospects of reaching Finals Day. Essex required a win to keep their own qualification chances alive. Somerset's seamer Erin Vukusic took 3-31 to restrict Essex to 177-5 after the visitors won the toss and chose to field first.

Essex appeared well-positioned after captain Grace Scrivens scored 73 from 51 balls and Sophia Smale contributed 43 from 29 deliveries to build a 142-run partnership for the second wicket. Anneke Bosch had added 18 from 11 before Vukusic dismissed her with a slower delivery. The hosts then lost three wickets in as many deliveries through a combination of Vukusic and spinner Chloe Skelton, with Skelton removing Scrivens and Liberty Heap consecutively. Jo Gardner's 19 from 18 provided some late momentum, but Vukusic finished with a controlled death over to limit the total.

Somerset's chase began poorly when Sophie Munro removed Bex Odgers with a first-ball outswinger and then took the wicket of Sophie Luff. Abi Learoyd scored 35 from 23 before being bowled by Eva Gray. Holland then anchored the innings, striking boundaries against the Essex bowlers to complete the successful chase.