Kia Super League: Lancashire Thunder beat Loughborough Lightning

Hayley Matthews helped the Lancashire Thunder secure a six-run win over the Loughborough Lightning in their Kia Super League clash.

West Indies all-rounder Matthews claimed figures of 3-25, including the last two wickets in successive balls after the Lightning threatened to snatch what appeared to be an unlikely victory for much of the game at the Haslegrave Ground.

They had been set 165 for victory with the Thunder largely thankful to innings from two of their other high-profile overseas signings.

New Zealand's Amy Satterthwaite, who was captaining the side, smashed nine fours and a six in her innings of 52 off only 32 balls.

Another West Indies star Deandra Dottin was equally punishing of the Loughborough attack as she scored 42 off 29 balls, hitting seven fours and a six, although Lancashire were pegged back a little by England all-rounder Georgia Elwiss (2-37).

The visiting side looked well on their way to victory when the Lightning were reduced to 27-3, Sophie Ecclestone dismissing the dangerous Elysse Perry for five and Amy Jones (27).

At 88-7 the game appeared to be over, but a superb stand of 69 for the eighth wicket between Thea Brookes (30no) and Paige Scholfield (38) pulled them right back into it.

Scholfield was bowled by Dottin with the last ball of the 19th over with Loughborough's target down to eight for victory but they would manage only one more run thanks to the nerveless Matthews.

Brookes scampered a single off the second ball of the final over but Matthews then bowled Rebecca Grundy two balls later and had Beth Langston caught for a first-ball duck to end the match and bowl the Lightning out for 158.

Both sides have a win and a defeat from their first two games in the league's inaugural season.