Georgia Wareham struck her first half-century in The Hundred, 50 off 34 balls, to help Welsh Fire post 138-7 and beat London Spirit by 15 runs at Sophia Gardens on the final day of the group phase. Grace Potts took 3-23 with the ball as London Spirit were bowled out for 123 from 99 balls despite Charlie Dean’s 27 and a late rearguard from Deandra Dottin. Both sides had already been eliminated from the competition, but Welsh Fire’s win lifted them to fifth in the women’s table, with London Spirit finishing sixth.
Both teams arrived at Sophia Gardens with nothing but pride to play for, their places in the knockouts already gone. Welsh Fire made the day count, riding a maiden Hundred half-century from Georgia Wareham to a 15-run victory that closed out their campaign on a high.
Wareham’s innings did the heavy lifting after Welsh Fire’s innings had stalled following a fast start. Her 50 off 34 balls, in what was described as a decisive, late assault, dragged the total up to a defendable 138-7 from their 100 balls.
Wareham’s fifty rescues a stalling innings
Welsh Fire’s innings began quickly but lost momentum before Wareham intervened. Her 50 off 34 balls was her first half-century in The Hundred, and it came at exactly the moment her side needed it, pushing them from a stalled position to a total of 138-7 from 100 balls. Grace Harris was the pick of the London Spirit bowlers, finishing with figures of 3-15.
Potts strikes twice in two balls to blow open the chase
London Spirit’s reply never recovered from the powerplay. Grace Potts removed the top three batters inside the powerplay, including two wickets in two balls to dismiss Grace Harris and Marie Kelly, and finished with figures of 3-23. That burst left Spirit needing to rebuild from the top of their order almost immediately.
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Dean’s 27 keeps Spirit in it before the middle order folds
Charlie Dean top-scored for her side with 27 off 20 balls, building partnerships first with Charis Pavely and then with Nadine de Klerk to steady the innings after the early losses. When Dean was dismissed, Spirit had slipped to 75-6, leaving the chase in the hands of the tail. Deandra Dottin stayed not out and kept Spirit’s hopes flickering, but she fell with five balls remaining, sealing Welsh Fire’s win as the innings closed for 123 off 99 balls.
What comes next
This was the final match of the group phase, and both sides now head into a short break before the knockouts begin on Friday. Welsh Fire finish fifth in the women’s table and London Spirit sixth, with neither involved in the business end of the tournament. Attention turns instead to Sunrisers Leeds against Southern Brave in the women’s Eliminator at The Oval from 14:15 BST, and the men’s Eliminator at the same venue from 18:00, involving Manchester Super Giants against an opponent still to be confirmed. The finals follow at Lord’s on Sunday, with Trent Rockets’ men’s and women’s sides waiting to discover who they will face.
Scores: Welsh Fire 138-7 (100 balls); London Spirit 123 all out (99 balls)
Result: Welsh Fire won by 15 runs
Top Scorers: Georgia Wareham 50 (34 balls) — Welsh Fire; Charlie Dean 27 (20 balls) — London Spirit
Bowling: Grace Harris 3-15 (London Spirit); Grace Potts 3-23 (Welsh Fire)
Key moment: London Spirit 75-6 when Charlie Dean was dismissed; Deandra Dottin dismissed with five balls remaining
Standings: Welsh Fire finished 5th, London Spirit finished 6th in the women’s Hundred table
Venue: Sophia Gardens
Schedule: Women’s Eliminator — Sunrisers Leeds v Southern Brave, The Oval, 14:15 BST; Men’s Eliminator — Manchester Super Giants v TBC, The Oval, 18:00; Finals at Lord’s on Sunday
