Grace Ballinger’s new ball burst sent The Blaze to a third win on the bounce in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, sending the qualification race into the final round of fixtures in the process.
Defending 197, Ballinger’s opening spell included four wickets inside seven overs, blasting Lancashire Thunder’s top order away in the process.
Two wickets apiece for Orla Prendergast and Josie Groves and one for Cassidy McCarthy and Kathryn Bryce finished the job, as the victory lifted The Blaze into the top four and the qualification spots in the 50-over format.
Earlier in the day, Thunder won the toss under overcast Manchester skies and elected to bowl first, Sarah Bryce joined by a new opening partner in Michaela Kirk, replacing the England-representing Tammy Beaumont.
The pair negated the early swing on offer by the Thunder’s openers, taking 42 runs off the first ten overs and extending their stand to 66 before Bryce fell for 34.
Kirk followed shortly after, bowled for 29, as Kathryn Bryce and Marie Kelly were tasked with taking the score beyond 100.
Just after the three figure milestone had been breached, Kelly fell to Phoebe Graham, caught behind for seven.
The experienced international duo of Bryce and Prendergast steadied the ship before the former became Fi Morris’ first victim of the day for 31.
Prendergast (29) fell shortly after, trapped in front to the same bowler, as Morris tormented The Blaze’s middle and lower order, adding Lucy Higham and Grace Ballinger as fellow LBW victims.
Ella Claridge (19*) and Groves (10*) eked out the total alongside their fellow batters but the first innings at Sale Sports Club would belong to Morris, who ended with career-best List A figures of 6-35.
Defending 197 for victory, The Blaze got off to the perfect start, Grace Ballinger removing both openers courtesy of some safe hands in the off-side from Kirstie Gordon and Kathryn Bryce.
After dominating the opening ten overs, Ballinger kept her foot on the gas to removed first innings tormentor Fi Morris and Danielle Collins within three balls of the end of the powerplay.
Finding swing from the far end, the left-arm seamer produced two unplayable deliveries which cannoned into the stumps of the Thunder batters.
Following a spell of 4-13 from her opening seven overs, Ballinger handed over the reins to Prendergast, who duly obliged in removing Seren Smale and bouncing out Thunder skipper Ellie Threlkeld.
Cassidy McCarthy made it seven wickets for the fast bowlers when bowling Darcey Carter before Josie Groves removed Grace Johnson and Phoebe Graham to leave The Blaze on the brink of victory.
Having been reduced to 123-9, Thunder threatened to pull off a remarkable turnaround as Tara Norris and Hannah Jones joined forces to edge their way up to the total.
However, just after Norris had reached her half-century, and the tenth wicket stand had realised 50 runs, Kathryn Bryce had Jones caught at mid-off by Kelly to hand The Blaze a 24-run triumph.
The Blaze’s final group stage game of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy sees them welcome Central Sparks to Chesterfield Cricket Club on Friday.
Gordon’s side know victory should send them through to the knockout stages after other results went The Blaze’s way on Wednesday.