Thunder made a bad start against a Sparks side minus regular skipper Eve Jones, who was unable to play because of concussion protocols, as Fi Morris and Katie Mack departed for ducks to leave them 3-2.
Emma Lamb (25) helped Smale – who had an early let-off when she edged Grace Potts between the keeper and first slip – steady the innings as they put on 61 in nine overs and the youngster reached her maiden T20 fifty off 41 balls.
Chasing a target of 147, Sparks lost Ami Campbell the first over as she skied a catch off Kate Cross and they were 22-2 in the sixth as Sophie Ecclestone turned one past Davina Perrin’s bat and she was stumped.
Jones and Freeborn rose to the challenge, and the former hit a beautiful straight six off England spinner Ecclestone, as Sparks stayed in the hunt, with 10 needed off the last over.
Phoebe Graham began it with a wide, and four singles followed before Jones settled the outcome with back-to-back fours to mid-off and extra cover.
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