In a thrilling encounter at Cardiff, the Trent Rockets secured a comfortable eight‑wicket victory over the Welsh Fire, marking their second win in this season's The Hundred women's tournament. The Australian wicket‑keeper‑batter Beth Mooney was the star of the show, smashing a rapid 57 runs from just 35 deliveries to set the tone for the chase.
After the Fire were bundled out for 129‑3 in their allotted 100 balls, the Rockets needed 130 to win, and Mooney’s explosive innings provided the platform they required. Mooney opened the innings alongside England’s promising all‑rounder Sophia Dunkley, who contributed a brisk 15 off 17 balls. The opening partnership blossomed into a 75‑run stand, laying a solid foundation.
Mooney then accelerated further, reaching her half‑century in just 27 balls after Nat Sciver‑Brunt joined her at the crease. Her aggressive stroke‑play, featuring a blend of powerful boundaries and deft running between the wickets, kept the required run‑rate well within reach.
Eventually, Em Arlott claimed Mooney’s wicket, but the momentum had already shifted decisively in the Rockets’ favour. England captain Sciver‑Brunt took charge, adding a quick‑fire 37 not out from 23 balls, while Ash Gardner contributed a swift 10 not out off 9 deliveries.
Their combined effort saw the Rockets cross the finish line with 17 balls to spare, sealing a convincing win. The Fire’s innings, however, had its own moments of promise.
After a disastrous start where openers Georgia Voll (18) and Ella McCaughan (6) fell within the first nine balls, leaving the side at 28‑2, there was a brief resurgence. Freya Kemp displayed her power by hitting four fours in a 36‑run blitz off 29 balls, and captain Sophie Devine added 38 runs off just 25 balls, punctuated by two fours and two sixes.
Despite these flashes of brilliance, the total of 129 fell short of the par score, leaving the Fire to endure their second defeat of the competition. Beyond the Rockets‑Fire clash, the tournament also delivered a dramatic tie between MI London and London Spirit. Both sides ended their 20‑over innings on exactly 151 runs, resulting in a rare shared result.
The outcome leaves MI London still hunting for their inaugural victory, having amassed only two points from four matches and now facing an uphill battle to stay in contention for the knockout stages. MI London’s chase began brightly, with Kiwi marquee player Melie Kerr in imperious form. Kerr opened the innings and smashed an unbeaten 49 from 32 balls, exploiting the off‑side and setting the tone.
The final surge came from Jamaican power‑hitter Chinelle Henry, who unleashed a blistering 33 runs from just 12 deliveries. Together, Kerr and Henry compiled a 55‑run partnership in 23 balls, with Henry’s on‑slaught culminating in a six off Nadine de Klerk’s final three balls, propelling MI London to a total of 151.
The chase for London Spirit was equally electrifying. Marie Kelly, who had already shown her class earlier in the tournament, crafted a composed 45 off 25 balls, anchoring the innings before handing over the reins to South African all‑rounder Marizanne Kapp.
Kapp responded with a quick 25, forming a 51‑run partnership with England’s Amy Jones, who was playing a steady, anchoring role. Kapp’s dismissal, caught off the off‑spin of Hayley Matthews, seemed to tilt the balance, but Jones continued to fight, needing 27 runs from the last 22 balls.
In a nail‑biting finish, Jones attempted a sweeping shot that was caught by Nicola Carey at deep square leg, a testament to Carey’s reputation as one of the game’s finest fielders. With five balls remaining, the Spirit required nine runs to win. Matthews, bowling to fellow Barbadian Deandra Dottin, delivered a crucial over: Dottin dispatched the first ball for four and the second straight to extra cover.
De Klerk then dismissed Kerr at deep mid‑wicket, leaving Dottin needing three runs off the final ball. Demonstrating nerves of steel, Dottin struck a leg‑side boundary, securing the tie and keeping her side’s hopes alive by the slimmest of margins. Reflecting on the match, Marie Kelly shared her thoughts with Sky Sports Cricket: "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." The day’s action also featured a reminder to viewers to use the Chrome browser for an optimal video‑player experience, ensuring accessibility for all fans. Looking ahead, Southern Brave will host Birmingham Phoenix on Thursday, with the women's fixture slated for a 3 pm kickoff followed by the men's game at 6:30 pm, both broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Fans can also stream The Hundred and additional cricket content on the NOW platform, where the latest tables, squad announcements for 2026, and news updates are readily available. Overall, the weekend highlighted the unpredictable excitement of The Hundred, showcasing individual brilliance, strategic partnerships, and the fine margins that can turn a match from a win to a tie. As the tournament progresses, teams will be eager to capitalize on these moments, striving for consistency and the coveted knockout spots.