Maia Bouchier’s seventh half-century in her last nine innings helped the Hampshire Hawks to victory over Lancashire Thunder, a result that took them back to the top of the Vitality Women’s Blast table.

Previous leaders Surrey were stunned by Essex, for whom Anneke Bosch scored her highest T20 score of 84, unbeaten in a nine-wicket win.

Durham overtook Surrey into second place after a five-wicket victory over fourth-placed The Blaze, with Mady Villiers winning 4-14 and captain Hollie Armitage scoring 69.

And struggling Yorkshire reeled off back-to-back victories, beating Warwickshire by five wickets and ending the Bears’ slim hopes of qualifying for finals day on 17 July.

In the Utilita Bowl, a brilliant, unbeaten 77 in 45 balls from Hampshire FalconsBouchier maintained his excellent form, with his current run of high scores coming after being left out of England’s T20 World Cup squad.

a suffocated Lancashire Lightning they were 44-3 at the halfway point. Emma Lamb top-scored with 30, while captain Ellie Threlkald made 25 off 17 balls, but three wickets in the final over, including a run out, saw Lancashire bowled out for 131.

It was Nancy Harman who polished off the innings, finishing with 3-9 off nine balls, after Poppy Tulloch bowled her second no-ball and was removed from the attack.

The score never looked like enough as Bouchier hit nine fours and three sixes, and captain Georgia Adams joined her in scoring 37 off 25 balls to complete the victory.