WESTERN Storm suffered their second successive defeat in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, as Alice Davidson-Richards and Sophia Dunkley each scored 92 in South East Stars' six-wicket victory at the Kia Oval on Saturday.

England hopefuls Davidson-Richards and Dunkley put together a second-wicket stand of 154 to help their side wrap up victory with 41 balls to spare.

England skipper Heather Knight (73) had top scored for Storm in their 245-8, with Somerset's Sophie Luff contributing 55, while Tash Farrant claimed 4-58 for the hosts.

Fi Morris’ promotion to opener backfired for Storm, as Farrant nipped one between bat and pad to pluck out her off-stump, before Knight and Luff rebuilt.

Knight looked in imperious form in moving to 50 from 63 balls (with nine fours), while Luff provided excellent support in a stand of 91, playing two glorious inside-out off drives for four through extra cover.

At 124-1 Storm looked in command, but Freya Davies trapped Knight lbw, and after Luff completed her half-century in 80 balls she was castled by Dani Gregory.

Despite a belligerent 27 that included two sixes from Anya Shrubsole, Storm’s total looked a little light.

Bryony Smith (21) began the chase with a flurry of boundaries, only to tickle a wide one from Lauren Filer (1-47) straight to Lauren Parfitt at leg-slip.

Davidson-Richards was given a life on 17 when wicketkeeper Nat Wraith failed to cling on to a catch down the leg side off Shrubsole.

It proved a costly miss, as the right-hander raced to 50 in 62 balls, while Dunkley kept pace from the other end, with the 100 partnership raised in 122 balls.

Dunkley’s own 50 came in 63 balls before Davidson-Richards thumped a Knight delivery for six over cow corner and then brought up the 150 partnership with a sumptuous cover boundary.

There would be no century for the opener, though, as she edged behind off Nicole Harvey with 60 needed.

Harvey (2-43) also dismissed Alice Capsey (7) cheaply, and Georgia Hennessey (1-21) bowled Dunkley with the scores level, but in truth Stars had coasted home, with Kirstie White on 19*.

Western Storm have home advantage this coming Saturday (June 12, 1pm), as they welcome Southern Vipers to the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.