The Blaze had Lucy Higham and Ella Claridge's partnership to thank as they edged past Western Storm in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Cheltenham.

Higham and Claridge's superb unbroken match-winning partnership of 105 in 22.3 overs guided their side to a five-wicket success.

Chasing a modest score of 218, The Blaze started confidently with a hard-hitting 61 from opener Sarah Bryce.

However, victory appeared uncertain when The Blaze slipped to 115-5.

But, Higham and Claridge's unbeaten scores of 62 and 43 sealed the win with 7.3 overs remaining.

Earlier, Fran Wilson top-scored with 67 for the Storm, before Sophie Luff's dismissal sparked a slump for the home team, finishing all out for 217.

Kathryn Bryce starred with bowling figures of 4-20.

Storm, currently last in the table, have lost their last five matches in the 50-over format and face testing matches against the Central Sparks and top-team Southern Vipers next.

The Blaze, in fifth place, are looking forward to their away game against Northern Diamonds after their fourth win of the season.

Despite losing the toss and a poor start, Corney and Smale's partnership of 57 set solid foundations for Storm.

Their stand ended with Corney bowled for 23 and Smale caught for 32.

Wilson and Luff then put on a quick 50 for the third wicket, but Luff was run out after confusion with Wilson for a 41-ball 31.

Wilson's score of 67 brought some hope, alongside a 20 from Nat Wraith, but the team couldn't maintain momentum.

With 103 runs still needed, Claridge and Higham stabilised The Blaze's innings.

Higham's 60-ball 50, achieved in the 39th over, helped secure victory for the visitors.

Blaze all-rounder Lucy Higham said: "We were under the pump with more than a hundred runs still needed when I came into bat and it was a matter of just trying to bat the overs.

"Ella (Claridge) and I decided to take things steady, defend against their best bowlers and wait for the bad ball, we showed a lot of character to get over the line.

"Kathryn Bryce gave us a great start with the bat and it was a case of me and Ella steadying the ship after we lost a few wickets in the middle."

Storm head coach Trevor Griffin, lamented: "It's a bit like groundhog day for us.

"There was a lot of good stuff that we did throughout the day, unfortunately, the run out was a poor dismissal and it affected us.

"We had a good platform and should have kicked on to make 250 or 260.

"217 was not going to be enough, they had a really key partnership at the end and we had already dropped Lucy Higham when she was on 15.

"But that's the story of our season so far."