In the last-ever Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final, Kate Coppack emerged as the star performer, lauding the resilience of her Sunrisers squad as they clinched a victory against South East Stars at Grace Road. Coppack's career-best figures of 4 for 27 set the stage for Sunrisers' triumph, with only Alice Davidson-Richards' valiant 93 offering resistance for the Stars.
Facing a modest target of 213, Sunrisers' Cordelia Griffiths and Grace Scrivens paved the way to victory, despite early setbacks. Scrivens' composed 39 not out guided Sunrisers to a win cut short by a thunderstorm under the DLS method. This win marked a significant turnaround for Sunrisers, who had struggled in previous editions of the tournament. Reflecting on the victory, Coppack credited the team's growth and leadership under Scrivens.
With upcoming changes shifting the competition to a county format, Sunrisers' director of cricket, Danni Warren, highlighted the team's journey and resilience, emphasizing the emergence of young talent within the squad.Meanwhile, South East Stars' director of cricket Emma Calvert lamented her team's loss, ending a challenging season that saw them fall short in two finals. Despite the disappointment, the focus shifted towards the future as South East Stars prepare to integrate with Surrey's setup in the coming years.
The conclusion of this domestic era brought mixed emotions for both teams, with Sunrisers looking ahead to a new chapter under Surrey's banner while celebrating their achievements. Despite not lifting the trophy on this occasion, the teams acknowledged the progress made and the promising prospects on the horizon.