The Blaze completed a remarkable domestic treble by edging out Hampshire in a heart‑stopping finish to the Metro Bank One Day Cup women’s tournament. The Trent Bridge‑based outfit had already celebrated triumphs in the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup, but the one‑day final proved to be the most testing of the season. With 17 runs required from the last two overs and just two runs needed off the very last delivery, the match swung on a single, decisive partnership.
Emma Jones, who finished unbeaten on 34 off 25 balls, struck the winning runs after Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss had already laid a solid foundation with half‑centuries in the chase of 252. The innings began with the Blaze winning the toss and opting to field. Their bowlers immediately applied pressure, with Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips delivering an exceptionally tight opening spell that yielded only 11 runs in the first five overs.
Hampshire’s opening pair, the in‑form Maia Bouchier and Ella McCaughan, managed to steady the ship, constructing an 84‑run partnership that began to shift momentum toward the visitors. McCaughan, who had not reached a fifty since June, celebrated her first half‑century of the year with a series of confident drives that sent the ball racing to the boundary. Lucy Higham then broke the partnership, taking 4 for 49 and helping to restrict Hampshire, who were also the 2025 finalists, to a total of 251.
Higham’s spell was a masterclass in disciplined bowling; she claimed the third and fourth wickets of the innings by stumping Freya Kemp and catching Naomi Dattani at mid‑on with a superb effort from Kirstie Gordon. Gordon, a spinner who has taken 14 wickets in eight matches since returning from The Hundred, recorded her third four‑wicket haul of the season with figures of 4‑49. Meanwhile, pacer Charley Phillips delivered a devastating over that saw Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington fall in three consecutive deliveries, further denting Hampshire’s momentum. After Higham’s breakthrough, Hampshire’s middle order, anchored by McCaughan and Kemp, added another 67 runs, taking the score to 166‑2 in the 32nd over.
However, the Blaze’s experience and tactical nous began to surface. The bowlers kept the run rate in check while continuing to pick wickets, and the hosts eventually posted a competitive total of 251. In response, the Blaze’s batting line‑up approached the chase with confidence. Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont opened the innings and quickly put together a 95‑run partnership, dismantling the opposition bowlers over 15 overs.
Their aggressive stroke‑play set the tone for the chase, but the tide turned briefly when Wellington spun a delivery that resulted in the dismissal of both Bryce sisters in the same over—Sarah was caught at deep square leg, and Kathryn Bryce was taken spectacularly at slip. Despite those setbacks, Beaumont, a former England opener, continued to anchor the innings with the support of Georgia Elwiss. Beaumont displayed a blend of composure and aggression, surviving three dropped catches and a stumping opportunity before finally being given out lbw to Wellington. That wicket triggered a mini‑collapse, with three wickets falling in the span of 26 balls.
With the required run rate climbing, the Blaze found themselves needing 30 runs with only a handful of overs remaining. Kirstie Gordon then fell to a catch, leaving the team with 17 runs required from the final two overs. Emma Jones stepped up to the crease, and her calm, power‑filled hitting turned the match on its head. She unleashed a reverse pull and a straight drive that both cleared the boundary, reducing the equation dramatically.
Even after being run‑out on the third ball of the final over, Jones remained unfazed. On the very last delivery, she executed a perfect sweep that raced to the fence, securing the winning runs and delivering the Blaze a dramatic, last‑ball victory.
The win not only completed a domestic treble for the Blaze but also underscored their resilience and depth across formats. Their ability to bounce back after early setbacks, combined with clutch performances from both seasoned internationals and emerging talents, highlighted why they have become a dominant force in women’s county cricket. The final showcased a blend of strategic bowling, aggressive batting, and moments of individual brilliance that will be remembered by fans and players alike.
The Blaze’s triumph adds a historic chapter to their season, cementing their status as the pre‑eminent side in English women’s domestic cricket.