The Blaze completed an impressive domestic treble by edging out Hampshire in a dramatic, last‑ball showdown to claim the Metro Bank One Day Cup women’s title. Already the holders of the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup, the Trent Bridge‑based side faced a steep climb when they required 17 runs from the final two overs and then only two runs from the very last delivery.
Emma Jones rose to the occasion, delivering an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls and striking the decisive runs after Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss had already contributed solid half‑centuries in the chase of a target of 252. The match began with Lucy Higham delivering a pivotal spell, taking 4‑49 and helping to hold Hampshire – who were also the runners‑up in the 2025 edition – to 251.
Both Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp posted fifties, keeping the opposition’s total within reach. After winning the toss, The Blaze employed a very defensive opening strategy, with Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips conceding just 11 runs in the first five overs. However, Hampshire’s opening partnership, featuring the in‑form Maia Bouchier and McCaughan, began to shift momentum, putting together an 84‑run stand.
McCaughan, confident and aggressive, reached her first fifty since June, hitting the ball all around the ground. Bouchier, who had been dismissed for a duck earlier, missed the chance to secure a third consecutive century when she was caught on the long‑on boundary, and shortly after Georgia Adams was dismissed by a clean hit to mid‑off, both wickets falling to Higham. The Blaze settled back as McCaughan and Kemp dominated the middle overs, adding 67 runs for the sixth wicket and taking the score to 166‑2 by the 32nd over. Yet The Blaze’s experience shone through in the closing stages.
Higham claimed two more wickets – she stumped Kemp and then trapped Naomi Dattani with a brilliant catch by Kirstie Gordon at mid‑on. Gordon, 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 also made a significant impact, removing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three consecutive overs, which helped to keep Hampshire’s total capped at 251. When The Blaze began their chase, Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont launched an aggressive partnership, dismantling the bowling attack over 15 overs and adding 95 runs with apparent ease. Wellington attempted a comeback by dismissing both Bryce sisters in a single over – Sarah was caught at deep square leg and Kathryn was brilliantly taken at slip. Despite those setbacks, Beaumont, supported by Elwiss, continued to anchor the innings.
The former England opener was fortunate throughout the chase, surviving three dropped catches and a stumping chance. Her luck finally ran out when she was given out lbw to Wellington, marking her fifth half‑century of the season but also triggering a mini‑collapse as three wickets fell in the span of 26 balls.
With 30 runs still required and the pressure mounting, Gordon was caught, leaving The Blaze needing 17 runs from the final two overs. Emma Jones rose to the occasion, delivering a series of powerful strokes – a reverse pull and a straight drive that both reached the boundary – and even after being involved in a run‑out on the third ball of the over, she remained unfazed. The climax arrived on the very last ball of the match when Jones executed a perfect sweep for four, sealing a nerve‑wracking victory for The Blaze.
The win not only secured the Metro Bank One Day Cup but also completed a historic domestic treble for The Blaze, underscoring their dominance across all three major women's competitions this season. Their ability to dig deep under pressure, combined with standout performances from Emma Jones, Lucy Higham, and the supporting cast, highlighted a squad with both depth and resilience. As the celebrations continued at Trent Bridge, fans and teammates alike reflected on a season that saw The Blaze transform from strong contenders into outright champions, capping off an unforgettable campaign with a finish that will be remembered for years to come.