The Blaze completed a remarkable domestic treble by edging out Hampshire in a heart‑stopping one‑day final that went down to the very last ball. The Trent Bridge‑based outfit had already collected the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup, but the Metro Bank One Day Cup final proved to be the toughest test of their season.
With 17 runs required from the final two overs and just two runs needed off the very last delivery, the match seemed destined for a dramatic climax. It was Emma Jones who ultimately delivered, remaining not out on 34 runs from 25 balls and striking the winning runs after Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss had already laid solid foundations with half‑centuries in the chase of a target of 252. The innings began with Hampshire posting a respectable total, thanks in large part to a disciplined spell from Blaze bowler Lucy Higham, who claimed four wickets for 49 runs.
Higha m's spell helped to hold the Hampshire side – who were also the losing finalists in 2025 – to 251. Both Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp contributed valuable fifties, keeping the visitors in contention. After winning the toss, the Blaze opted to bowl first and, through the tight, economical overs of Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips, they managed to restrict Hampshire to just 11 runs in the opening five overs.
However, the opening partnership of the in‑form Maia Bouchier and Ella McCaughan slowly began to shift momentum in Hampshire's favour, putting together an 84‑run stand. McCaughan, who had not reached a half‑century since June, confidently paced the innings and reached her fifty with a series of well‑timed shots. Bouchier, who had been dropped on a duck earlier in the tournament, was unable to claim a third consecutive century when she was caught on the long‑on boundary shortly after Georgia Adams drove the ball straight to mid‑off, both dismissals credited to Higham. The Blaze then settled into a defensive posture as McCaughan and Kemp built a further 67‑run partnership during the middle overs, taking the score to 166‑2 by the 32nd over.
Yet the Blaze's experience and tactical acumen began to surface. Higham struck again, delivering the third and fourth wickets of the innings by effecting a stumping on Kemp and then taking a brilliant catch at mid‑on to dismiss Naomi Dattani, who had been a steady contributor for Hampshire. Since returning from The Hundred, Higham has amassed 14 wickets in eight matches, and her 4‑49 in this final marked her third four‑for in that span. Charley Phillips added to the pressure, removing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three consecutive overs, which caused Hampshire’s momentum to collapse and left them stranded at 251.
The Blaze’s fielding unit also displayed sharp reflexes, with Kirstie Gordon taking a spectacular catch at mid‑on to dismiss Dattani, underscoring the all‑round effort that had characterized their season. When the Blaze began their chase, the opening partnership of Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont set the tone, dismantling the Hampshire bowlers over the first 15 overs and adding a comfortable 95 runs. Their aggressive approach kept the required run rate well within reach. However, Wellington, who had been effective with the ball earlier, managed to claim two crucial wickets in a single over, dismissing both Bryce sisters—Sarah was caught deep square, while her sister Kathryn was brilliantly taken at slip.
Despite these setbacks, Beaumont, a former England opener, continued to anchor the innings with poise. She was fortunate to survive three dropped catches and a stumping opportunity, but her luck finally ran out when she was given out lbw to Wellington, triggering a quick succession of three wickets in just 26 balls. With the team needing 30 runs and only a handful of wickets remaining, the pressure intensified.
Kirstie Gordon was then caught, leaving the Blaze with 17 runs required from the final two overs. Emma Jones, who had already contributed a quickfire 34, rose to the occasion. She played a daring reverse pull and a clean straight drive that both reached the boundary, reducing the equation dramatically.
Even after a run‑out on the third ball of the final over, Jones kept her composure and, with a sweeping four on the very last delivery, sealed a sensational victory for the Blaze. The win not only secured the Metro Bank One Day Cup but also completed an unprecedented domestic treble for the Blaze, highlighting their depth, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure. Their season, marked by strategic bowling changes, aggressive batting, and clutch fielding moments, will be remembered as one of the most compelling narratives in recent women's county cricket. The final itself will be recalled for its edge‑of‑the‑seat drama, the heroics of Emma Jones, and the collective effort that saw The Blaze lift three major trophies in a single campaign.