YORKSHIRE Diamonds coach Paul Grayson rued a missed opportunity after his side were beaten by seven wickets against Western Storm.

Defending Kia Super League champions Storm, replying to 172 for five, were fired once more by Indian star Smriti Mandhana, with the 22-year-old continuing a sparkling run of form with 56 off 36 balls.

Mandhana added to scores of 48, 37, 52 not out, 43 not out and 102 last time out against Lancashire Thunder.

Diamonds openers Beth Mooney and Lauren Winfield shared 119 inside 14 overs, with Australian Mooney leading the way with 69 off 42 balls – the Diamonds record individual score – after the hosts won the toss at Scarborough. Winfield added 48 at a fast-scoring North Marine Road.

But the Storm got home with four balls to spare by captain Heather Knight’s unbeaten 45 off 37 and are now level on 23 points with Loughborough Lightning at the top of the table.

Grayson said: "That was a missed trick I think given the position we got into with the bat. "We could have maybe got another 10-15 runs. I was really pleased with a lot of how we played. It was a good batting performance.

"Lauren has continued her good form, and it was nice to see Beth Mooney score some runs.

"At halfway, I was very confident we could defend that score. I would much rather have been in our position than theirs if I'm honest.

"But we know we were playing against a very good side, and things are going their way at the moment. The ball was chipped into gaps a few times. On another day, they could have been taken.

"It's frustrating to take because it's a game we should have closed out."

Storm captain Heather Knight said: "The team's full of confidence at the moment. The way we're going about our cricket is really pleasing.

"The top of the order is obviously going very well, Smriti in particular. So it was nice for Fran Wilson to get a hit at the end and for Rachel to go so nicely.

"There's a few areas we can tidy up. I think we let them get few too many runs. But the team's been brilliant. There's a good feel around the group, and we're playing some really good cricket.

"Smriti's just effortless isn't she. She's so pleasing on the eye, keeps it simple and hits it straight.

"I thought Yorkshire came up with some all right plans to her today. Katherine (Brunt) bowled well to her. But everything's going her way at the moment, even those ones that fall into gaps.

"I think we pretty much might be qualified now, but a few more wins would be nice."