Charli Knott and Grace Ballinger claimed three wickets each but The Blaze fell to a 23-run Vitality Blast defeat against Hampshire Hawks at Utilita Bowl.

Knott and Ballinger combined for figures of 6/47 from seven overs as Hampshire posted 151-8 after opting to bat first, with Georgia Adams’ 30-ball 49 the top score.

However, Adams then turned in a four-wicket showing with the ball, picking up 4/16, as the visitors were limited to 128-8 in reply.

Other than Adams, Hampshire’s batting never found the go-button, as The Blaze squeezed with an exceptional bowling display.

Knott knocked back Ella McCaughan’s middle stump with her first delivery, before later seeing opener Adams caught by Kathryn Bryce at deep midwicket.

The Hawks found promising partnerships for the first three wickets, but slow scoring left plenty to do at the death, and that led to six wickets falling in the last six overs.

Leg-spinner Josie Groves caught and bowled both Francesca Sweet and Rhianna Southby, before Ballinger bowled Abi Norgrove and Naomi Dattani in successive deliveries.

Ballinger and Knott both completed their three-fors in the final two overs, with the former bowling Nancy Harman before Amanda-Jade Wellington was caught by Michaela Kirk off Knott.

Marie Kelly and Georgia Elwiss attacked the start of chase by smashing 44 runs in the first 26 balls of the innings.

However, Kelly was bowled for a fluent 33, bringing the opening stand to an end as she attempted back-to-back scoops for four.

Things slowed up in the middle overs after Kelly's dismissal, which quickly led to more wickets as Kathryn Bryce, Knott, and Elwiss all fell in the space of 16 balls around the halfway stage.

Emma Jones hit back by striking Bex Tyson for four, but was caught the following ball and then Sarah Bryce was stumped at the start of the next over.

Kirstie Gordon and Ballinger added 34 for the ninth wicket to reduce the deficit, but the stutter had left The Blaze too much to do, and their innings ended short of what was required.