Welsh Fire closed out their Hundred women's campaign with a 15-run victory over London Spirit at Sophia Gardens, as Georgia Wareham struck her first half-century of the tournament to lift Fire to a competitive total. Both sides had already been eliminated from contention before the match, meaning the result carried no bearing on the standings, though Fire's bowlers ensured pride was salvaged with a disciplined defence.
Fire posted 138-7 from their 100 balls, a total built largely around Wareham's innings of 50 from 34 deliveries. The Australian all-rounder's late surge rescued an innings that had lost momentum after a promising opening, with Grace Harris the pick of the Spirit bowlers, finishing with figures of 3-15.
How did Spirit's chase unfold?
Spirit's pursuit of 139 was undermined early by Fire seamer Grace Potts, who removed the top of the order inside the powerplay, including a double-wicket burst that accounted for both Grace Harris and Marie Kelly in consecutive deliveries. Potts finished with 3-23.
Captain Charlie Dean attempted to steady the innings, adding useful partnerships first with Charis Pavely and then Nadine de Klerk, but her dismissal for 27 left Spirit at 75-6 and struggling to keep pace with the required rate. Deandra Dottin offered late resistance with her power-hitting, but the West Indian batter ran out of partners and overs, falling with five balls remaining to confirm Fire's win.
Where do the two sides finish in the table?
Welsh Fire conclude the group phase in fifth position, with London Spirit finishing sixth, both missing out on a place in the knockout stages.
Fire's season had included a mixture of results, including a three-wicket win over Manchester Super Giants at Old Trafford in which Orla Prendergast took 4-18, and a first defeat to Birmingham Phoenix, who claimed their maiden win over Fire courtesy of Ellyse Perry and Alice Capsey. A Headingley double against Sunrisers Leeds, in which Phoebe Litchfield's 55 sealed a six-wicket women's win, had already ended Fire's hopes of progressing. Spirit, meanwhile, had earlier beaten Trent Rockets, with Nadine de Klerk's unbeaten 41 securing a five-wicket win at Trent Bridge.
What is Wareham's role within the Welsh Fire squad?
Wareham's half-century capped a season in which Welsh Fire built their squad around a group of overseas signings. According to The Hundred's official squad announcement, Fire signed Sophie Devine as an overseas player for £210,000, alongside Wareham and Georgia Voll, as part of their build for the 2026 competition. The same report lists Wareham's contract for the tournament at £100,000, with team-mate Georgia Voll signed for £80,000.
Wareham went on to build on this innings later in the competition. In a subsequent match against MI London, she scored 43 off 20 balls and took 2-23, earning player of the match honours as Fire secured a 60-run win, according to Women's CricInsight.
What happens next in the competition?
With the group stage now complete, the Hundred takes a short pause before the knockout matches begin. Both the men's and women's Eliminator fixtures will be played at The Oval, with Sunrisers Leeds facing Southern Brave in the women's contest from 14:15 BST, while Manchester Super Giants take on an opponent yet to be confirmed in the men's Eliminator from 18:00.
The finals follow at Lord's, with Trent Rockets' men's and women's teams already through and set to meet the respective Eliminator winners. According to a national broadcaster's preview, the women's final is scheduled for Sunday at Lord's, where the Eliminator winner will face the already-qualified Trent Rockets side.
- Welsh Fire beat London Spirit by 15 runs at Sophia Gardens, with both sides already eliminated.
- Georgia Wareham scored 50 from 34 balls, her first Hundred half-century of the season.
- Grace Potts took 3-23 for Fire, including a double-wicket burst in the powerplay.
- Fire finished fifth and Spirit sixth in the women's group standings.
- The knockout stage begins Friday at The Oval, with finals at Lord's on Sunday.
