Stunning Kemp effort not enough as Steelbacks Women are outclassed by Essex to miss out on Finals Day
A brilliant innings from Amelia Kemp wasn't enough to stop Northants Steelbacks Women from suffering defeat in their Vitality Blast County Cup quarter-final with Essex on Sunday.
The two teams met at the cinch County Ground with a place at this weekend's Finals Day at Old Trafford the prize on offer for the winners, and it was top tier side Essex that came out on top by nine wickets.
But they were made to work for their success thanks to a remarkable effort from Kemp, who made a brilliant 88 not out from just 69 balls, hitting 16 fours along the way, to lift her side to 123 for eight in their 20 overs.
Kemp was the only batter to reach double figures (extras was the next highest scorer with 15) as the Steelbacks struggled after deciding to bat first - initially slumping to five for three and 19 for five!
Three of the top four, Gemma Marriott, Mabel Reid and Ava Clive all went for ducks while facing just six balls between them, but Kemp kept her cool and composure at the other end.
The right-hander also showed her quality as she shared in a 47-run stand with Alicia Presland (6 from 14 balls) and another partnership of 53 with Liz Russell (5 from six) to lift her side to a respectable total.
Essex then lost Lissy Macleod to Reid for four as the visitors found themselves 14 for one in the third over, but that was to prove the only breakthrough the Steelbacks would make.
Skipper and opener Grace Scrivens hit 51 not out from 56 balls, while Jodi Grewcock put her foot down at the other end, smacking 56 not out from just 40 balls to see her side to 127 for one and victory with 23 balls to spare.
Essex now go on to Finals Day in Manchester, where they will be joined by The Blaze, Somerset and Surrey.
As for the Steelbacks, they can take great pride in the fact they were the only tier 2 side to make the last eight of the competition.
David Ripley's side can now concentrate on their final Metro Bank One Day Cup League Two group match of the campaign when they go to Belper to play Derbyshire Falcons on Sunday, September 6.
Northants have already qualified for the semi-finals, but will be aiming for the win that could earn them a home tie in the last four.
The top two get a home semi-final, and Northants are currently fourth, three points behind second-placed Middlesex, whose final game is against leaders Glamorgan who sit four points clear at the summit.
Third-placed Kent, who are above the Steelbacks on run-rate alone, entertain sixth-placed Leicestershire Foxes in their final match.