Kathryn Bryce’s century ends in vain on Tuesday as Blaze fell agonisingly short of their target, failing to seal their spot in the Women’s One-Day Cup final.

Playing at Trent Bridge, Lancashire found themselves at 52-4 away from home, after a rare top order failure, including Gaby Lewis’ dismissal for nine runs. Ailsa Lister came into bat and took centre stage, constructing a match-winning knock of 96 (91), being aided by skipper Eleanor Threlkeld to put up a 164-run partnership allowing her team set up a fighting total of 241-6 from their 50 overs.

In response, Lancashire struck early, getting rid of Sarah Bryce, but the senior Bryce stepped up. The Scottish all-rounder played brilliantly to compile her first century of this year’s competition, she lost Georgie Boyce and Orla Prendergast with the score at 37-3, before she found an able ally in Georgia Elwiss, with whom she stitched a 150-run partnership for fourth wicket. Elwiss’ departure triggered a collapse as The Blaze lost three wickets for 20 runs, reducing The Blaze to 207-7.

However, Bryce continued to hold one end, shepherding the chase till the very end. Just when one thought she was about to pull off the miracle, the Blaze star stumbled. She was caught at mid off only nine runs adrift, bringing an end to her valiant knock of 124 (142) and subsequently dashing The Blaze’s hopes of a spot in the finals. Breathing a huge sigh of relief, Lancashire managed to clinch the thriller booking their date for 21 September at Southampton.

Earlier, Ireland's vice-captain Prendergast bowled with precision, ending with figures of 1-26 from her quota of 10 overs. Failures with the bat have been seldom for Prendergast but a duck in the semi-final proved to be a massive setback for the Blaze.

The result sees Lancashire progress to the final as Prendergast and Bryce see their campaign come to an end. Lewis and Lister will now contest the winner of the match between Hampshire and Surrey on Sunday.