ALEX MacDonald’s superb 92 set up a resounding Northern Diamonds victory - by 73 runs - over North West Thunder at Liverpool and moved them to within one win of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final.

The 28-year-old left-hander posted her highest domestic score in six years to underpin a commanding 248 for eight from 50 overs, hitting 10 fours and two leg-side sixes in 110 balls.

The Diamonds then comfortably defended their total on a slow and low pitch to secure their fourth successive victory and move to 18 points at the top of the North Group as the Thunder were restricted to 175 for eight from their 50 overs.

Experienced leg-spinner Katie Levick starred with three for 22 from 10 overs, while MacDonald also struck once with her medium pacers.

A win over second-placed Central Sparks at Emerald Headingley on Sunday will seal their progression to the September 27 final at Edgbaston.

Having been invited to bat, the Diamonds had to recover from 57 for four in the 17th over, with new ball seamer Alice Dyson claiming two wickets.

Netherlands international Sterre Kalis was bowled by an unplayable grubber from Dyson for a third successive duck.

But MacDonald, a Yorkshire women’s player who scored a century for Gloucestershire in 2014, expertly led the recovery with help from Jenny Gunn (29), Bess Heath (23) and Phoebe Graham (29).

MacDonald, batting at number five and particularly strong on the sweep, was handed a reprieve on nought when, pulling, she offered a tough chance to a diving Laura Marshall at square-leg. And the hosts were made to pay.

Seamer Laura Jackson was the pick of the Thunder bowlers with two for 23 from nine overs, while skipper Alex Hartley also struck twice.

In reply, the Thunder lost wickets all too regularly to make any significant impact as their chances of final qualification were ended with a third straight defeat following an opening round win.

After Beth Langston claimed the early wicket of Georgie Boyce, Levick had Marshall (20) caught at short cover, Ellie Threlkeld lbw and Nat Brown caught behind as the score fell to 69 for four in the 21st over.

But fifth-wicket pair Laura Jackson (22) and Danielle Collins shared 28 inside 12 overs as the inexperienced Thunder side held their cross-Pennine rivals up.

MacDonald continued her memorable day, bowling Collins for 18 to all but end the contest at 97 for five in the 32nd over.

Sixteen-year-old Liberty Heap added 15 and Dyson top-scored with a late unbeaten 25, while Diamonds captain Hollie Armitage and Langston finished with two wickets apiece in a bonus point win.

MacDonald said: “It’s good to get another win on the board - four from four now.

“We knew that batting first on that track, anything over 200 would be a really imposing score.

“It’s been a long time since I batted for that long and scored that many runs, so it’s nice to make the most of that time in the middle.”

On the early dropped catch: “I hit it well but didn’t see square-leg until she stuck her hand out. Thankfully she didn’t hold on.”

“We’re looking forward to Sunday and being back at Headingley, which will be really cool. We’ll look to go hard at the Sparks and get the win.

“We haven’t discussed the final. We’re taking it game by game and whatever happens happens with regards to getting to Edgbaston.

“Since the England players have gone back, a different player has stood up every time, which is great for us. Katie Levick will take three wickets most games, Jenny Gunn contributed again. We’re feeling really good about things.”