Put in to bat first, in match no. 21 of The Women’s Hundred 2025, Welsh Fire never truly found momentum as they posted 111/6 in their 100 balls, a total that was competitive but always looked slightly under par. Their innings got off to a poor start when Hayley Matthews was trapped lbw by Sophie Devine for a golden duck in just the second set, and captain Tammy Beaumont soon followed for 7, edging behind off Lauren Bell.
Sophia Dunkley provided some resistance with a fluent 31 from 25 balls, striking five boundaries before falling to Tilly Corteen-Coleman. At 49/3, the innings looked vulnerable, but Georgia Elwiss held firm with a composed 36 not out from 36 balls, ensuring that Welsh Fire at least reached three figures. Small contributions from Jess Jonassen (11) and Sarah Bryce (11) kept things moving, though the lack of a big partnership meant Fire could never accelerate.
For Brave, Lauren Bell (2/21) and Sophie Devine (2/23) picked up the key wickets, supported by Corteen-Coleman (1/22) and Chloe Tryon, who bowled a superb five-ball spell conceding just six runs and taking a wicket. Mady Villiers’ 20-ball set for only 14 runs was equally crucial in choking the innings during the middle phase.
Chasing 112, Southern Brave began well through their openers. Maia Bouchier looked fluent with a well-paced 35 off 30 balls, hitting four fours and a six, while Danni Wyatt-Hodge chipped in with 18 off 14 as the pair added 48 runs for the opening wicket. At that point, Brave appeared to be cruising before Wyatt was sent back by Freya Davies, and soon after Bouchier was bowled by Jonassen, leaving Brave at 56/2.
Laura Wolvaardt fell cheaply for 3, caught at mid-off off Jonassen’s bowling, and the momentum shifted sharply. Freya Kemp tried to rebuild with 17 off 15 but became Jonassen’s third victim, while Chloe Tryon was dismissed for a duck immediately after, becoming Jonassen’s fourth wicket. When Sophie Devine, who had scored a valuable 25 from 21, was caught at deep midwicket off Hayley Matthews’ bowling, Welsh Fire were suddenly right back in the game. The run-out of Mady Villiers (4 off 5) left Brave in deep trouble at 107/7, still requiring five runs from the final four balls.
With the match hanging in the balance, it was down to captain Georgia Adams (7* off 7) and wicketkeeper Rhianna Southby (1* off 1) to finish the job. Facing Freya Davies with two runs needed from the penultimate ball, Adams stayed calm and shovelled a length ball towards deep midwicket. Katie George sprinted in and dived forward, almost pulling off a spectacular catch, but the ball slipped from her grasp and rolled away far enough for the batters to scamper back for two. That moment sealed a thrilling win for Southern Brave, who finished on 112/7 in 99 balls.
It was heartbreak for Welsh Fire, who had fought valiantly and nearly pulled off a stunning comeback but have now registered their 5th loss on the trot. Jess Jonassen’s exceptional figures of 4/10 from 20 balls stood out as the bowling performance of the night, while Matthews (1/17) and Georgia Davis (1/13) also played their part.
Yet, despite their collective efforts, the target proved just short, and the Brave’s depth carried them over the line, their 6th straight of the season, also confirming their spot in the knockouts.
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