Welsh Fire concluded their Women’s Hundred season on a positive note, securing a 15-run victory against London Spirit in Cardiff to finish fifth, a significant improvement from last year’s bottom-place finish. After being sent in to bat, Fire reached 49 for 1 during the powerplay, driven by Georgia Voll and Freya Kemp. Despite losing momentum following Kemp’s 26 off 14 and the dismissal of Sarah Bryce, which left the side at 74 for 3 at the halfway point, Georgia Wareham revitalized the innings. Wareham smashed a 34-ball half-century, including 22 runs from her final eight deliveries, to lift the total to 138 for 7.
London Spirit’s response faltered immediately as Grace Potts dismissed Grace Harris and Marie Kelly with her first two deliveries. Potts eventually finished with 3 for 23 after later removing Amy Jones. Although Charis Pavely contributed three successive fours and Charlie Dean added 27, the required run rate proved insurmountable as wickets fell regularly. Despite a brief surge of hope from a Deandra Dottin six off Wareham, Spirit were bowled out for 123 with one ball remaining.
In the other fixture, an unbeaten 62 from Ellyse Perry guided Birmingham Phoenix to a five-wicket win over MI London, successfully chasing a target of 121 with six balls to spare. Phoenix initially struggled at 48 for 4 following two powerplay strikes from Kirstie Gordon. However, Perry stabilized the innings alongside Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who contributed 36 off 32. The duo shared a 66-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Sana departed with seven runs still needed, leaving Perry to complete the chase.
MI London had posted 120 for 6 after being sent in, starting with a quick 21 from Hayley Matthews before she was caught by Davina Perrin off Sana’s bowling. A 56-run stand between Hollie Armitage and Chinelle Henry, who made 42 off 33, helped rebuild the innings. However, tight bowling from Alana King and Eva Gray—who finished with 2 for 29—restricted the visitors during the death overs. MI London concluded their difficult campaign with a sixth defeat, while Phoenix climbed to seventh place in the final standings.
Spirit’s chase unravelled early as Grace Potts removed Grace Harris and Marie Kelly in her opening two balls, and then returned to dismiss Amy Jones and finish with 3 for 23.
