Welsh Fire secured a hard-fought victory against Southern Brave in the Women's Hundred on Monday, August 3, bringing an end to the Brave's five-match winning streak. In a dramatic final-ball finish, Heather Graham held her nerve to guide her team to a four-wicket win while chasing a target of 122.
The Brave's innings, which featured no sixes, saw Laura Wolvaardt score 48 and Jemimah Rodrigues contribute 25. Welsh Fire's bowlers were disciplined, with Grace Potts claiming 2-14 and Heather Graham taking 2-23. The Brave struggled early after Lizelle Lee was dismissed for a second consecutive duck and Maia Bouchier fell shortly after. Despite a 49-run partnership between Rodrigues and Wolvaardt, the Brave were restricted to 121/5. Welsh Fire's fielding was exceptional, highlighted by captain Georgia Wareham, who took three catches and executed a direct-hit run-out to dismiss Sophie Molineux. The Brave were also hampered by 10 wides and missed chances in the field.
Welsh Fire's chase faced early turbulence as Tilly Corteen-Coleman dismissed Georgia Voll and Ella McCaughan within three balls. The team slipped to 44/3 after Freya Kemp was caught by Lauren Bell. Although Georgia Wareham offered some resistance, she was eventually bowled by a slow delivery from Bell. The match remained tight as the Brave's bowlers, including Saran Glenn and Issy Wong, applied pressure. Debutant Grace Thompson provided a spark with a six and a four, though she was eventually dismissed by Wong. The Brave spinner had also earlier missed a stumping chance of Kemp and dropped Wareham.
The match reached its climax with Niamh Holland bringing the equation down to eight runs off the final five balls. With the game resting on the final delivery, a crucial fumble by Lizelle Lee behind the stumps allowed Graham to tap the ball past short cover for the winning runs. Heather Graham finished unbeaten on 35, while Grace Thompson added 16. The result leaves Southern Brave with 20 points, having missed an opportunity to officially qualify for the semi-finals in Cardiff, while Welsh Fire climbed to fourth place on the points table.
Their 49-run stand came off 43 balls, but steadied them enough to push along towards 120.
They just trickled past it, getting small contributions from Jodie Grewcock and skipper Sophie Molineux.
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