Brave stage stunning fightback to edge Fire in Hundred opener
Southern Brave recovered from a sloppy fielding display to beat Welsh Fire by eight runs in their opening match of The Hundred women's competition, sparked by a dramatic collapse from the visitors.
Southern Brave began their Hundred campaign with a remarkable fightback, securing a hard-fought eight-run victory over Welsh Fire in Southampton.
Chasing 127, Fire looked comfortable at 109-3, with opener Georgia Voll unbeaten on 52. However, 18-year-old left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman dismissed Voll, triggering a collapse that saw Fire lose five wickets for just six runs in 14 balls. Lauren Bell then removed Georgia Wareham and Em Arlott, while captain Sophie Molineux took 3-14, including the wicket of Sophie Devine, to seal the win.
Earlier, Brave were sent in to bat and managed 126-7, with Laura Wolvaardt anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 45 off 36 balls. Heather Graham starred for Fire with 4-19, preventing Brave from accelerating. Brave's fielding was poor, dropping several catches including Voll early in Bell's first set, but their late resurgence proved decisive.
Fire, who invested heavily in the off-season including a joint-high £210,000 for Devine, will look to bounce back after finishing bottom last season with just one win.
