The Blaze completed a remarkable domestic treble, edging out Hampshire in a heart‑stopping finish to claim the Metro Bank One Day Cup women’s title. The Trent Bridge‑based outfit had already celebrated victories in the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup, but the one‑day final demanded another heroic effort.
After posting a daunting target of 252, the Blaze found themselves needing 17 runs from the last two overs and, ultimately, just two runs off the very last delivery. It was Emma Jones who rose to the occasion, remaining unbeaten on 34 off 25 balls and striking the decisive runs, while teammates Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss had already contributed solid half‑centuries during the chase.
The match began with Lucy Higham delivering a game‑changing spell, claiming 4‑49 and helping to keep Hampshire – the 2025 finalists – to 251. Both Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp made valuable contributions, each reaching a fifty.
The Blaze won the toss and, thanks to the disciplined bowling of Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips, restricted Hampshire to a meagre 11 runs in the first five overs. However, the opening partnership of the in‑form Maia Bouchier and McCaughan began to shift momentum, stitching together an 84‑run stand.
McCaughan, who had not recorded a fifty since June, confidently paced the innings and reached her milestone. Bouchier, who had been dismissed for a duck earlier, could not extend her streak of centuries; she was caught on the long‑on boundary just before Georgia Adams drove a straight ball to mid‑off, both dismissals credited to Higham. The hosts steadied the innings as McCaughan and Kemp forged a 67‑run partnership in the middle overs, taking the score to 166‑2 by the 32nd over.
Yet The Blaze’s experience and tactical nous began to surface. Higham claimed the third and fourth wickets of the afternoon, first by stumping Kemp and then by taking a brilliant catch at mid‑on to dismiss Naomi Dattani, who was trapped by Kirstie Gordon. Gordon, a spinner who has taken 14 wickets in eight matches since returning from The Hundred, recorded her third four‑for of the season with figures of 4‑49. Charley Phillips added to Hampshire’s collapse, removing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three consecutive overs, leaving the opposition reeling at 251.
In response, the Blaze’s chase was anchored by a powerful partnership between Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont. Over a 15‑over spell, the duo dismantled the bowling attack, building a 95‑run stand with apparent ease. Wellington attempted to stem the flow by dismissing both Bryce sisters in a single over – Sarah was caught deep square, while Kathryn fell spectacularly at slip. Beaumont, supported by Elwiss, continued to push the scoreboard forward; the former England opener benefitted from three dropped catches and survived a stumping chance, underscoring her good fortune.
Beaumont’s innings, her fifth half‑century of the campaign, came to an end when Wellington trapped her lbw, triggering a rapid collapse that saw three wickets tumble in just 26 balls. With 30 runs still required, Gordon was caught, leaving the Blaze with 17 runs needed from the final two overs. Emma Jones, already well‑set at the crease, took charge. She unleashed a spectacular reverse pull and a crisp straight drive, both finding the boundary, and even after a run‑out on the third ball of the final over, she remained composed.
The climax arrived with a sweeping four off the very last delivery, sealing a victory that was as dramatic as it was hard‑earned. The triumph not only secured the Metro Bank One Day Cup but also completed a historic treble for The Blaze, highlighting their dominance across all three major domestic competitions this season. Their ability to recover from pressure situations, exemplified by the last‑ball heroics of Emma Jones and the resilient partnerships built throughout the innings, showcases a squad with depth, skill, and mental fortitude.
The victory also underscores the impact of key performers such as Lucy Higham, whose four‑wicket haul set the tone, and the versatile bowling unit that combined spin and pace to keep Hampshire under control. Looking ahead, The Blaze’s success will serve as a benchmark for other counties, demonstrating how a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent can produce sustained excellence. The final also highlighted the importance of strategic field placements, disciplined death‑over bowling, and the value of seizing momentum when it appears.
For the fans, the match provided a roller‑coaster of emotions, from early dominance to a tense chase that culminated in a single, decisive swing of the bat. In summary, The Blaze’s domestic treble is a testament to their collective resolve, tactical acumen, and the individual brilliance of players like Emma Jones, Tammy Beaumont, Georgia Elwiss, Lucy Higham, and Kirstie Gordon.
Their ability to navigate the highs and lows of a tightly contested final, ultimately clinching the title on the very last ball, will be remembered as one of the most thrilling conclusions to a domestic women’s cricket season in recent memory.