Southern Brave continued their impressive form, securing a fifth consecutive victory this season by defeating London Spirit at Lord's on Saturday. Led by a stellar bowling performance from skipper Sophie Molineux, who claimed 3-7, the visitors restricted London Spirit to 114 for 8 before chasing down the target with seven balls to spare.
Molineux set the tone early by dismissing Amy Jones and Marie Kelly. Although Grace Harris contributed three boundaries and shared a partnership with Marizanne Kapp, Sarah Glenn claimed the wickets of both Harris and Sterre Kalis. With the score at 44 for 4, Kapp and Nadine de Klerk added 27 runs to stabilize the innings, with de Klerk providing some late-order hitting. Tilly Corteen-Coleman also chipped in with two wickets for the Brave.
In response, the Southern Brave faced early trouble as Lizelle Lee fell for a duck and Laura Wolvaardt struggled to find momentum. Kapp returned to the attack to dismiss both Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues, leaving the visitors at 62 for 3 after 53 balls. However, Danni Wyatt-Hodge—who had remained steady—partnered with Molineux to add 52 runs off 33 balls, effectively securing the win before both batters departed in the final stages.
In other action, Birmingham Phoenix claimed their maiden win of the season, narrowly beating Welsh Fire by seven wickets at Edgbaston. Chasing a target of 145, Ellyse Perry delivered an unbeaten 68 off 46 balls, supported by Alice Capsey’s brisk 51 off 29 deliveries. The duo put together an 86-run stand off 54 balls to guide the Phoenix home on the penultimate ball.
Earlier, Welsh Fire posted 144 for 3, driven by Georgia Voll’s 55-ball 78. Despite early efforts from Phoenix bowlers Lauren Filer and Fatima Sana, Voll and Ella McCoughan attacked the spinners, while Sophie Devine added late momentum with two sixes. In the chase, Perry and Capsey countered the Welsh Fire attack, including boundaries off Georgia Wareham. With 10 runs required off the final three balls, Perry hit a six over deep mid-wicket and a boundary through deep backward point to seal the victory.
However, Bouchier who had stayed firm through the early troubles, combined with Molineux to bail the side out.
There was no letting away for the other bowlers either as Em Arlott, Sophie Smale, Niamh Holland, Voll and Heather Graham all were put away.
