The Blaze completed an impressive domestic treble by eking out a nail‑biting win against Hampshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup final, a match that was decided on the very last ball. The Trent Bridge‑based side had already added the Vitality Blast and the Vitality T20 County Cup to their trophy cabinet, but the one‑day final proved to be a true test of character. After a solid start, they found themselves needing 17 runs from the final two overs and, ultimately, just two runs from the very last delivery. It was Emma Jones who rose to the occasion, smashing an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls and striking the winning runs after Tammy Beaumont and Georgia Elwiss had already laid a foundation with half‑centuries in the chase of 252.
The innings began with Lucy Higham delivering a pivotal spell, claiming 4‑49 and helping to keep Hampshire – who were also the runners‑up in 2025 – to a total of 251. Hampshire’s innings featured solid contributions from Ella McCaughan and Freya Kemp, both of whom reached the fifty‑run mark. The Blaze won the toss and, thanks to the ultra‑economical opening overs from Grace Ballinger and Charley Phillips, managed to restrict Hampshire to just 11 runs in the first five overs. However, the opening partnership of the in‑form Maia Bouchier and Ella McCaughan began to shift momentum, putting together an 84‑run stand that saw McCaughan comfortably reach her first half‑century since June.
Bouchier, who had been dismissed for a duck earlier in the tournament, was unable to secure a third consecutive century when she was caught on the long‑on boundary shortly after Georgia Adams played a straight drive to mid‑off, both dismissals credited to Higham. The Blaze, after a brief lull, saw McCaughan and Kemp dominate the middle overs, adding a 67‑run partnership that took the score to 166‑2 by the 32nd over. Yet The Blaze’s experience and tactical nous began to re‑assert themselves. Higham claimed the third and fourth wickets of the innings, first by stumping Kemp and then by trapping Naomi Dattani with a brilliant catch at mid‑on taken by Kirstie Gordon.
Gordon, a spinner 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. Meanwhile, pacer Charley Phillips delivered a rapid three‑wicket burst, removing Rhianna Southby, Abi Norgrove and Amanda‑Jade Wellington in three consecutive overs, which saw Hampshire’s momentum stall and their final total settle at 251.
In response, the Blaze’s chase got off to a flying start thanks to an aggressive partnership between Sarah Bryce and Tammy Beaumont. Over a 15‑over spell, the duo dismantled the Hampshire bowling attack, adding 95 runs with relative ease.
Their dominance was briefly interrupted when Wellington managed to spin a wicket, dismissing both Bryce sisters in a single over – Sarah was caught at deep square leg and Kathryn fell spectacularly at slip. Despite these setbacks, Beaumont, a former England opener, continued to anchor the innings with the support of Georgia Elwiss. Beaumont displayed a touch of luck throughout the chase, surviving three dropped catches and a stumping opportunity before finally being given out lbw to Wellington, which triggered a brief collapse that saw three wickets fall in just 26 balls.
With 30 runs still required, the Blaze lost another wicket when Kirstie Gordon was caught, leaving the equation at 17 runs needed from the final two overs. Emma Jones then took charge of the closing stages. She unleashed a spectacular reverse pull and a crisp straight drive that both found the boundary, and even after a run‑out on the third ball of the final over, she steadied the ship.
The climax arrived on the very last ball when Jones executed a perfectly timed sweep, sending the ball racing to the boundary for four runs and sealing a dramatic victory for The Blaze. The win not only secured the Metro Bank One Day Cup but also completed a historic domestic treble for the team, underscoring their dominance across all formats in the women's county circuit. The match highlighted several key performances and strategic moments. Lucy Higham’s disciplined spell was instrumental in limiting Hampshire’s total, while Kirstie Gordon’s spin continued to prove lethal after her return from The Hundred, adding another four‑for to her impressive season tally.
Charley Phillips’ short‑burst of pace bowling delivered crucial breakthroughs at a pivotal juncture, and the middle‑order partnership of McCaughan and Kemp provided the platform that kept Hampshire competitive. For The Blaze, the chase was a masterclass in composure under pressure. The early aggression of Bryce and Beaumont set a solid platform, while Elwiss’s steady contributions ensured the run rate remained manageable.
Emma Jones’s finishing ability, highlighted by her unbeaten 34 and the decisive boundary on the final ball, demonstrated why she is regarded as one of the most reliable finishers in the domestic circuit. Beyond the individual heroics, the match served as a showcase for the growing depth and excitement in women’s county cricket. The dramatic finish, the strategic use of spin and pace, and the resilience shown by both sides reflected the high standard of competition.
Fans were treated to a thrilling spectacle that will be remembered as one of the most exciting finales in recent memory, and the Blaze’s achievement of a domestic treble will be a benchmark for future teams to aspire to. In summary, The Blaze’s triumph was built on a combination of disciplined bowling, strategic field placements, and a fearless batting approach in the death overs. Their ability to recover from a precarious position and clinch the title on the very last ball epitomises the spirit of competitive sport and cements their status as the dominant force in women’s county cricket for the season.