The Blaze completed an impressive domestic treble by narrowly defeating Hampshire in a nail‑biting finish to the Metro Bank One Day Cup women’s tournament. Having already lifted the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup, the Trent Bridge‑based side faced a formidable chase of 252 runs and found themselves needing 17 runs from the final two overs, then just two runs off the very last ball. Emma Jones rose to the occasion, remaining unbeaten on 34 off 25 deliveries and striking the winning runs after Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss had each contributed half‑centuries in the run‑chase.
Earlier in the match, Lucy Higham produced a spell‑binding performance with figures of 4‑49, helping to hold Hampshire – who were also the 2025 finalists – to 251. Both Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp added valuable fifties, keeping the score within reach.
The Blaze won the toss and, thanks to the tight, defensive bowling of Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips, they conceded only 11 runs in the first five overs. However, Hampshire’s opening partnership, featuring the in‑form Maia Bouchier and McCaughan, began to shift momentum with an 84‑run stand. McCaughan, hitting her first half‑century since June, confidently dispatched the ball around the park. Bouchier, who had been dismissed for a duck earlier, was unable to secure 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 hosts then relaxed as McCaughan and Kemp consolidated the middle overs, forging a 67‑run partnership that saw the score reach 166‑2 in the 32nd over. Yet The Blaze’s experience shone through in the closing stages. Higham claimed the third and fourth wickets of the innings, first by stumping Kemp and then by catching Naomi Dattani brilliantly at mid‑on, a catch taken by spinner Kirstie Gordon.
Gordon, who has taken 14 wickets in eight matches since returning from The Hundred, recorded her third four‑for in that span with her 4‑49 figures. Fast bowler Charley Phillips added to Hampshire’s woes, dismissing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three successive overs, which saw the opposition’s total stall at 251.
In reply, Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont dismantled the Blaze bowling attack over a 15‑over partnership, steering the chase forward with relative ease. Their 95‑run stand set the platform for the final push. Wellington, however, managed to break through the Bryce sisters in a single over – Sarah was caught at deep square leg and her sister Kathryn was superbly taken at slip. Beaumont, supported by Elwiss, kept the scoreboard ticking.
The former England opener was fortunate throughout the innings, surviving three drops and a stumping chance. Her luck finally ran out when she was given out lbw to Wellington after scoring her fifth half‑century of the season, triggering a mini‑collapse that saw three wickets tumble in just 26 balls.
With 30 runs still required, Gordon fell caught, leaving the equation at 17 runs needed from the last two overs. Emma Jones then took control of the drama. She unleashed a spectacular reverse pull and a clean straight drive that both raced to the boundary, reducing the required runs dramatically.
Although she was involved in a run‑out on the third ball of the final over, Jones recovered composure and, with a calm sweep, struck a four on the very last delivery to seal a victory that sent The Blaze into the record books as domestic treble winners. The match showcased a blend of disciplined bowling, aggressive batting, and clutch performances under pressure. Higham’s four‑for, Gordon’s consistent wicket‑taking since her Hundred comeback, and Jones’s composure in the death overs highlighted the depth of talent within The Blaze squad.
Meanwhile, Hampshire’s batting, anchored by the solid contributions of McCaughan and Kemp, demonstrated resilience even as they fell short by the narrowest of margins. Beyond the statistics, the encounter illustrated the growing competitiveness of women’s domestic cricket in England.
The ability of teams like The Blaze to maintain high standards across multiple formats – from the Twenty‑20 Blast to the one‑day cup – reflects the increasing professionalism and skill development within the women’s game. Fans were treated to a thrilling spectacle, complete with dramatic turnarounds, strategic bowling changes, and a finish that will be remembered for years to come. In summary, The Blaze’s triumph over Hampshire not only secured a historic treble but also reinforced their reputation as a powerhouse in English women’s cricket. Their blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talents proved decisive, and the final‑ball heroics of Emma Jones will be cited as a textbook example of staying calm under extreme pressure.
As the season concludes, all eyes will now turn to how The Blaze will build on this success in upcoming competitions and whether other counties can match their consistency across formats.