If ever there was a match to turn your whites into legends and bruises into badges of honour, this was it. Blazes vs Swans away at beautiful Thames Ditton, and what a belter of a game – right down to the final over, bruised shins, flying wickets, and cheeky scoreboard drama.

? THE BOWLING BLITZ: BLAZES SET THE TONE

Swans came in flapping but were soon turned into a feather storm thanks to Rachel “Double Trouble” Walters. In the first over – yes, first over – she struck TWICE in two balls, clean-bowling both Tidnan and Collier. Cue the Rachel Rampage™. She went on to grab 4 wickets for 23, dismantling the top and tail with precision.

But even legends have their moments, and Rachel served up one for the blooper reel. A gentle, gift-wrapped caught-and-bowled popped straight back to her – the kind you catch in your sleep. Instead, in a moment of pure cricketing slapstick, she attempted a dramatic diving grab, executed a full roll... and ball popped back out. No concussion, just a bruised noggin and a full-team giggle fit. The ball may have slipped through, but the memory? Oh, that's staying forever.

Not to be outdone, our skipper Maz (Marianna Graham) decided she fancied a piece too. She snapped up 3 wickets for 17, including a crafty juggled caught-and-bowled that made everyone question gravity for a second.

The rest of the attack bowled their hearts out – Emily, Hayley, Liz, Florence, Ness – all keeping it tight, even if Hayley had to literally sacrifice her shin to stop a match saving scorcher at mid wicket. That bruise deserves a medal. Or at least a cold compress and a cider.

Special shout-out to Sarah at point who nearly pulled off the catch of the day with ball flying straight at her at point. We gasped. Just fingertips away, but full commitment earns full bragging rights.

Swans scratched together 129 in 23.4 overs – solid, but Blazes had a burning reply ready.

? THE BATTING BURN-UP: BLAZES BLAZE IT BACK

Enter Ness and Bernie – also known as the Opening Act You Don't Skip. They danced their way to 54 runs in 12 overs, setting the perfect foundation. Classy nudges, sharp singles, and some glorious strokeplay – the Swans were flapping again.

After Bernie fell for a graceful 22 , in strutted Captain Maz, apparently just “getting her eye in.” Translation: watch out, point fielder. Her first proper shot? A bullet through point for four. Casual. She went on to retire not out on 60 off 45 balls, striking ten glorious boundaries and probably denting the ego of at least one bowler.

Cue the drama. Liz and Maz had a fabulous partnership brewing… until an optimistic run call led to Liz’s run-out. Maz, ever the diplomat, offered the sincerest of apologies – we think. We couldn't hear over Tina the scorer screaming, “RUN!” when, err… no one should’ve been running.

It got squeaky in the last two overs – a double run-out (Sarah and Liz), a few nervous singles, and Flo the fearless teenager strolling in like it was a school lunch queue, calmly nudging the winning runs. But in true Blazes style, the team held firm, chased down the total with one over to spare, and collapsed into a joyful, sweaty, bruised pile of victory.

And hats off to the Swans for their outstanding sportsmanship – not just fierce competitors on the field, but absolute gems off it. At the end of the match, they flipped the script and handed out an “opposite player of the match” award – a classy tradition, and this time it went to none other than Rachel “Wrecking Ball” Walters for her four-wicket haul. The Swans clearly recognised carnage when they saw it. A lovely gesture that summed up the spirit of the day – competitive, respectful, and full of mutual admiration (and mild bruising).

? FINAL THOUGHTS

Best. Blazes. Match. Ever.

From sharp fielding to fierce bowling, stylish batting to heroic shinpads, this was a full-team masterclass. Every player stepped up. Every moment counted. And every bruise tells a story (Hayley, we’re looking at you).

Ladies, be proud – you didn’t just win a game. You lit the field on fire.