Finals Day Bid Still Live Despite Storm First Loss

TREVOR Griffin is desperate to ensure Western Storm’s first defeat of the Super League won’t derail their bid for glory at Finals Day today.

- Nicola Kenton

The Storm were on their way to ten wins from ten in the group stages, but they ran into an inspired Yorkshire Diamonds on Wednesday night.

In a rain-affected match, Yorkshire’s Jemimah Rodrigues hit 60 off 27 balls in a third-wicket stand to help the side post 104-4 from their ten overs.

Storm, who qualified for Finals Day in top spot, stuttered in their reply as they lost Rachel Priest, Smriti Mandhana and Heather Knight in the first five overs. Fran Wilson and Sophie Luff built a 65-run partnership to get the chase down to 14 off the final over, but the duo came up just short after they were unable to take advantage of some free hits.

“We set our sights on winning ten out of ten, but it wasn’t to be,” Griffin said.

“We may have come up short in a really close finish, but we showed our character and spirit to take it down to the final ball.

“It’s a shame that Fran and Sophie couldn’t quite get us over the line in what was a thrilling match.

“We’ve been involved in some close finishes this season and we’re disappointed not to have come out on top this time.