The Blaze notched their first victory of 2024 in thrilling fashion, beating Northern Diamonds by two wickets with two balls to spare at Scarborough Cricket Club.
Chasing 189 to win, the visitors were indebted to an seventh-wicket stand between Bethan Gammon (39) and Ella Claridge (26*) to get them over the line and secure the first points of the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint trophy.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, the hosts lost England opener Lauren Winfield-Hill early on courtesy of a fine running catch from Kirstie Gordon off the bowling of Grace Ballinger.
Skipper Gordon then added wickets to her own column with the dismissals of Emma Marlow, stumped by Ella Claridge, and Hollie Armitage, bowled for six.
Sophie Munro accounted for the dangerous Erin Burns and, when Lucy Higham struck in her first over, The Blaze had reduced the Diamonds to 82/5 just short of the halfway mark.
Higham and Nadine de Klerk then dismissed Phoebe Turner and Sophia Turner respectively before a 62-run stand between Leah Dobson (54) and Abi Glen (38) rescued the hosts from 120-7.
Just as a total of 220 plus looked likely, Munro (3-28) and Teresa Graves (1-14) returned to take the final three wickets for the addition of just six runs, the Diamonds all out for 188.
In reply, Graves and new opening partner Gordon made serene early progress, adding 43 in 10.2 overs before the latter was caught behind for 19.
Graves extended her own score to 33 before falling to Burns, the Australian also accounting for Daisy Mullan (12) as The Blaze took drinks at 89/3.
The Diamonds’ bowlers put the squeeze on following the break, Nadine de Klerk the sixth batter to fall with the score on 105.
With 17 overs remaining, Gammon and Claridge joined forces for what proved to be a match-winning partnership.
At first steadying the ship before cycling through the gears, Gammon, in just her second game for The Blaze, and young wicketkeeper Claridge showed tremendous composure to add 61 in 14 overs.
Gammon fell with 23 required but Cassidy McCarthy (8) and Higham (9*) provided valuable support to Claridge (26*) to cross the finish line with two balls to spare.
The Blaze are next in action against Thunder on Bank Holiday Monday (6 May) at Trent Bridge, before facing Western Storm at the same venue two days later.