Steelbacks Women let Middlesex off the hook with bat and ball in semi-final defeat
Northants Steelbacks Women suffered a stunning batting collapse as they were beaten by Middlesex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup League 2 semi-final on Sunday.
Playing at Radlett, David Ripley's side looked on course for a place in the final as they progressed to 83 for one in the 20th over in reply to the home side's 169 all out.
Needing 82 to win with nine wickets in hand, the dismissal of Michaela Kirk for 15 sparked a startling collapse that ended with Northants being bowled out for just 135 to lose by 29 runs (DLS Method).
The County lost their final nine wickets for 52 runs in 13 overs to hand Middlesex the win and set up a final date against Glamorgan.
Even at 121 for four, the Steelbacks looked to be favourites, but they then lost six wickets for just 14 runs to leave Middlesex celebrating.
Home skipper Saskia Horley did the bulk of the damage taking four for 27, while there were also two wickets for Hannah Davis.
For the Steelbacks, opener Chloe Hill made 46 from 81 balls, Amelia Kemp hit 27 from 36 and Gemma Marriott made an unbeaten 26 from 31 balls - but had to watch on from the other end as the wickets tumbled.
Earlier, the Steelbacks had also let Middlesex off the hook with the ball, allowing the home side to recover from 51 for five and 91 for seven to post 169 all out.
That was mainly thanks to a brilliant 75 from 75 balls from Abbie Whybrow, with the next top score being Horley's 23.
The wickets were shared around by the Steelbacks, with Beth Robinson, Marriott, Kemp and Lenny Sims all taking two wickets apiece.
The defeat brings to an end the Steelbacks Women's season.