In a thrilling encounter at Cardiff, the Trent Rockets secured a comfortable eight‑wicket win over the Welsh Fire, marking their second triumph in this season's The Hundred women's tournament. Central to the Rockets' successful chase was Australian wicket‑keeper‑batter Beth Mooney, who smashed an incisive 57 runs off just 35 deliveries, laying the groundwork for the side to chase down a target of 130 with ease after the Fire were bundled out for 129‑3 in their allotted 100 balls.
Mooney opened the innings alongside England’s promising all‑rounder Sophia Dunkley, who contributed a quick‑fire 15 off 17 balls. The opening partnership blossomed into a 75‑run stand, providing the Rockets with a solid platform.
Mooney’s half‑century arrived in just 27 balls after Nat Sciver‑Brunt joined her at the crease, underscoring her aggressive intent. Although Em Arlott eventually dismissed Mooney, the momentum was sustained by Sciver‑Brunt, who added 37 runs without loss from 23 balls.
The English captain, together with Ash Gardner’s brisk 10 off 9, guided the Rockets home with 17 balls to spare. The Fire’s innings, however, never truly got going. After winning the toss and electing to bat, their openers Georgia Voll (18) and Ella McCaughan (6) fell within the first nine balls, leaving the side reeling at 28‑2 after just 41 deliveries.
Freya Kemp tried to revive the chase, hitting four fours and scoring an unbeaten 36 off 29 balls, while captain Sophie Devine added a powerful 38 off 25, featuring two fours and two sixes. Despite their efforts, the total of 129 proved insufficient, handing the Rockets a second defeat in the competition. In related news, MI London and London Spirit produced a spectacularly close finish on a scorching London afternoon, with both sides ending on an identical 151 runs. The dead‑heat leaves MI London still searching for their inaugural victory, sitting on just two points from four games and fighting to stay in contention for the knockout stages.
The tie unfolded dramatically. MI London started strongly, with Kiwi star Melie Kerr in scintillating form, blasting an unbeaten 49 from 32 balls.
The final burst came from Jamaican batter Chinelle Henry, who smashed an astonishing 33 runs off only 12 deliveries, including a lethal 16‑run over from Nadine de Klerk’s last three balls, propelling MI London to 151. Spirit’s chase began promisingly when Henry’s early strike produced a leading edge from Grace Harris, giving MI London early optimism. Yet the Spirit responded in kind. Marie Kelly displayed elegant composure, crafting a fluent 45 off 25 balls, before handing the reins to South African all‑rounder Marizanne Kapp.
Kapp contributed a rapid 25 in a 51‑run partnership with Amy Jones, who anchored the innings. Kapp’s dismissal to Hayley Matthews’ off‑spin seemed to tilt the balance, but Jones continued the fight, needing 27 from 22 balls.
A hard‑hit sweep to Nicola Carey at deep square leg fell short, and with five balls remaining the Spirit required nine runs. Matthews, bowling to fellow Barbadian Deandra Dottin, induced a four‑run hit on the first ball and a crisp straight‑down‑the‑ground shot to extra cover on the second. De Klerk then removed Kerr at deep mid‑wicket, leaving Dottin needing three runs off the final delivery.
Dottin struck a powerful leg‑side hit, scrambling for two and securing the tie, keeping her side barely alive in the tournament. Reflecting on the match, Mooney praised her teammates, saying, "It was a good, all‑round performance from everyone – 130 was probably about par but one big partnership was going to win that game, and it did in the end. When you're chasing a total like that, it's pretty good to break the back of the chase as early as you can and thankfully we did that." Meanwhile, Spirit’s Marie Kelly admitted the nerves of the finish: "I was so nervous sitting on the side, not being able to do anything about it. I feel a bit flat that we've tied that one.
We were in a great position at one stage but they pulled it back really well. It's a strange feeling." Looking ahead, Southern Brave will host Birmingham Phoenix on Thursday, with the women's match slated for a 3 pm kickoff on Sky Sports, followed by the men's game at 6:30 pm. Fans can continue to stream The Hundred and other cricket action contract‑free on NOW, while keeping up with the latest tables, squad announcements for 2026, and video highlights across the competition.