The Blaze Clinch Domestic Treble After Edge‑of‑a‑Seat Victory Over Hampshire

The Blaze completed an extraordinary domestic treble by narrowly defeating Hampshire in a nail‑biting finish to the Metro Bank One Day Cup women's competition. This triumph added to the titles the Trent Bridge‑based outfit had already secured earlier in the season – the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup – cementing their status as the most successful side in English women's cricket for the year.

The final was a roller‑coaster of emotions. Hampshire posted a formidable total of 251 runs, thanks to a solid opening partnership and a series of aggressive half‑centuries. The Blaze, however, responded with a composed chase that saw them scrape home with just two runs required from the very last ball.

Emma Jones emerged as the match‑winner, remaining unbeaten on 34 off 25 deliveries and striking the decisive runs that clinched the trophy. Her innings was supported by crucial contributions from Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss, both of whom compiled half‑centuries during the pursuit of the 252‑run target.

### First Innings – Hampshire’s Batting Power Play Winning the toss, The Blaze elected to field, hoping to exploit the early conditions with their disciplined bowlers. Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips opened the spell with extreme economy, conceding only 11 runs in the first five overs. This tight start kept Hampshire’s scoring rate in check and set the tone for a disciplined bowling effort.

Nevertheless, the home side’s top order soon found rhythm. Maia Bouchier, who had been dismissed for a duck earlier in the tournament, partnered with Ella McCaughan to build a steady 84‑run stand.

Bouchier, known for her aggressive stroke‑play, began to find her footing, while McCaughan, hitting her first fifty since June, displayed confidence by pacing the innings and rotating the strike effectively. Their partnership laid the groundwork for a competitive total.

The middle overs saw the Blaze’s bowlers dig deep. Lucy Higham, the left‑arm spinner, produced a spell of brilliance, claiming 4 wickets for 49 runs. Her wickets included key dismissals of both Bouchier and McCaughan, curbing the momentum of Hampshire’s chase.

Higham’s figures reflected her growing influence since returning from The Hundred, where she has taken 14 wickets in eight matches, including three four‑wicket hauls. After the fall of the opening partnership, Hampshire’s lower order attempted to accelerate. Freya Kemp joined Ella McCaughan in a rapid 67‑run partnership that took the score to 166‑2 by the 32nd over.

Their aggressive hitting pushed the total beyond 200, and for a time it seemed the target might be out of reach for The Blaze. However, the tide began to turn when Charley Phillips, the pace bowler, struck a decisive blow, dismissing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove, and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three consecutive overs.

This quick succession of wickets stalled Hampshire’s scoring, and the team finished on 251, a respectable but ultimately insufficient total. ### Second Innings – The Blaze’s Chase The chase began with The Blaze’s openers, Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont, taking the attack to the Hampshire bowlers. Their partnership of 95 runs laid a solid foundation, and they kept the required run rate comfortably within reach. The duo’s aggressive intent forced Hampshire to rethink their field placements and bowling changes.

Mid‑innings, however, the match took a dramatic turn when Wellington, the left‑arm spinner for Hampshire, managed to dismiss both Bryce sisters in quick succession. Sarah Bryce was caught at deep square leg, while her sister Kathryn fell to a superb catch at slip.

These wickets threatened to destabilise The Blaze’s momentum, but the team showed resilience. Tammy Beaumont, a former England opener, continued to anchor the innings. She survived three close calls – being dropped three times and evading a stumping opportunity – before finally being given out lbw to Wellington.

Her dismissal triggered a brief collapse, with three wickets falling in just 26 balls. Nevertheless, Georgia Elwiss stepped in, providing stability and ensuring the run chase remained on track.

With 30 runs still required and only a handful of overs remaining, the pressure intensified. Naomi Dattani was caught by Kirstie Gordon at mid‑on, and Gordon herself later fell to a catch, leaving The Blaze needing 17 runs from the final two overs. ### The Final Over – A Heroic Finish Emma Jones, who had already contributed 34 runs, took charge in the closing stages. She displayed a range of shots, including a powerful reverse pull and a clean straight drive that both found the boundary.

Even after a run‑out on the third ball of the final over, Jones remained composed. On the very last delivery, she executed a sweeping four, sealing a win by two runs and delivering The Blaze’s third trophy of the season. ### Significance of the Treble Securing the Metro Bank One Day Cup alongside the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup marks a historic achievement for The Blaze.

It demonstrates the depth of talent within the squad, the strategic acumen of the coaching staff, and the ability to perform under pressure across multiple formats. The treble also underscores the growing competitiveness of women's domestic cricket in England, with teams like Hampshire pushing the standards higher. ### Key Performers - **Emma Jones** – Unbeaten 34 runs, decisive finish, and the winning runs.

- **Tammy Beaumont** – 50‑plus score, steadying influence, and a series of crucial drops that kept her innings alive. - **Georgia Elwiss** – Valuable middle‑order contribution, supporting Beaumont during the chase.

- **Lucy Higham** – 4/49 with the ball, pivotal in restricting Hampshire’s total. - **Kirstie Gordon** – Consistent wicket‑taking, 14 wickets in eight matches since her return from The Hundred. ### Looking Ahead With the domestic treble secured, The Blaze will now set their sights on upcoming international fixtures and the next season of the Women’s Hundred.

Their blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent positions them as a formidable force, capable of challenging for further honors. Fans can look forward to a continued display of high‑quality cricket, as the team builds on this remarkable season and strives to maintain their dominance in English women's cricket.