Welsh Fire became the first team to be eliminated from The Hundred women’s competition after Southern Brave edged a low-scoring thriller at Sophia Gardens.
Fire suffered their fifth straight defeat as Brave, in contrast, remain unbeaten despite making hard work of chase of 112, reaching their target with just one ball to spare.
Brave were in full control of their chase at 98-3, but a collapse of four wickets for nine runs in the space of six balls gave Fire hope and left the visitors needing two from the final two deliveries.
Katie George dropped a difficult chance from the penultimate ball that would have dismissed Georgia Adams, but the batters scampered back for a second to seal a tense three-wicket win.
Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge added 48 for the first wicket as Brave started positively, but despite an admirable bowling fightback led by Jess Jonassen’s 4-10, Fire were left to rue another underwhelming batting performance.
Sophia Dunkley’s 31 from 25 balls gave the home side a positive start after fellow opener Hayley Matthews’ golden duck, but a batting line-up lacking in confidence struggled after her departure.
Captain Tammy Beaumont only managed seven and although all-rounder Georgia Elwiss anchored the innings with an unbeaten 36, Brave’s bowlers expertly controlled the middle phase and Fire trudged to 111-6.
England seamer Lauren Bell benefitted from the bowler-friendly surface as she took 2-20, extending her place at the top of the wicket-taking charts with 14, while New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine also impressed with 2-23.
The in-form Brave will look to guarantee themselves a spot in the Eliminator when they take on second-placed London Spirit at Lord’s on Saturday.
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