±«Óãtv

Tom Mallows
±«Óãtv Sport cricket writer

A stunning collapse from Northern Superchargers allowed Welsh Fire to secure their first win of this year’s Hundred.

Chasing 124, Superchargers looked to be cruising to victory as Hollie Armitage and Laura Wolvaardt put on 90 for the third wicket to leave them needing just 22 to win from 17 balls.

But Fire took four wickets in 12 balls for the cost of just six runs to leave Superchargers needing 15 from the final set.

Some fine death bowling from Annabel Sutherland then meant Superchargers could only limp to 112-6 as Fire won by 11 runs.

Sutherland had earlier hit an unbeaten 31 from 22 balls to help Fire reach 123-6, with Sarah Bryce top-scoring with 36 from 30 balls.

Welsh Fire stay bottom but are now level on points with seventh-placed Manchester Originals. Northern Superchargers stay fifth but face an uphill task to reach the eliminator after their third defeat from five games.

Here's what else happened:

• Sarah Bryce hit Rachael Slater for three successive fours.
• Nicola Carey smashed a lively 19 from 13 balls, including three switch-hits in a row for four.

• Wolvaardt scored 41 from 38 deliveries and Armitage 40 from 38 to lead the Superchargers recovery after being reduced to 12-2 from 13 balls.
• Wolvaardt, who hit an unbeaten 90 in Sunday’s win against Manchester Originals, is now top scorer in the women’s competition, with 236 runs from five innings.

What’s next?

Welsh Fire travel to Trent Rockets on Monday for their final game of the competition (15:30 BST).

Northern Superchargers’ final group game is against Southern Brave at Headingley on Wednesday (11:30).

Tammy Beaumont, Welsh Fire captain speaking to Sky Sports: "I'm incredibly relieved, for me, that was a proper team performance.

"Annabel and Sutherland were as cool as anything under pressure and that's what you want from your bowlers.

"We did well to get that big target and get a few early wickets and hold on in there.

"I'm really lucky that our three overseas players were exceptional and calm under pressure.

"I was actually very worried that people might not come out and it gets me so emotional. The crowd have always supported us and I just wanted to win it for them today."

Match hero Nicola Carey, who took 3-18, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's been a tough first few games for us, to come out here today, in our last home game, it's awesome. The girls are pumped.

"All the wickets over here are tricky to bat on. I thought our batters batted really well to get us up to that total and our bowlers defended well."

On her batting performance: "I like the switch-it so thanks for keeping cover up.

"We stuck with our plans and it worked for us in the end.

"It was really simple, the message was stay on the stumps and don't try to do too much. We forced them to hit over the top which is how [they got out] in the end.

"It's a funny game, it changes really quickly over 100 balls and luckily we're on the winning side."

The Superchargers looked on course for victory chasing 124, particularly with Armitage and Wolvaardt at the crease. But a bundle of late wickets, four for just six runs, did the trick for the home team.

Carey was excellent with the ball at the death and is deservedly player of the match.

Nikesh Rughani
±«Óãtv Radio

A very famous victory here in Cardiff!

Fifth time lucky it is here for the Welsh Fire. It's a shame they won't be able to qualify but now they at least have one victory on the board. You can see how much it means for them. The men's team are all cheering on the balcony. The pressure will now be on them.

Sutherland closes out the match, a fantastic come back from the Fire, they finally win a match!

It looked highly unlikely for most of the run chase, but seemingly from nowhere the Fire turn things around.

Samit Patel
Trent Rockets & former England all-rounder on ±«Óãtv Radio

Unless we see something drastic, it looks like it could be done.

15 needed from the last set, a very tough task.

Nikesh Rughani
±«Óãtv Radio

It just shows you what wickets can do at the back end of these games.

Samit Patel
Trent Rockets & former England all-rounder on ±«Óãtv Radio

Carey has kept her cool and targeted those stumps once again. Talk about shot selection!

Nikesh Rughani
±«Óãtv Radio

Huge wicket that! And it could be the one that brings Welsh Fire to their first win of the The Hundred!

Samit Patel
Trent Rockets & former England all-rounder on ±«Óãtv Radio

If the Superchargers don't get across the line, it will be very sloppy from them.

19 runs needed from the last 10 balls and there's a swing towards the home team now, can they squeeze out a win?

Samit Patel
Trent Rockets & former England all-rounder on ±«Óãtv Radio

A simple enough catch and another batter makes their way to the crease.

Nikesh Rughani
±«Óãtv Radio

Pressure is building now and the crowd are getting involved too, cheering Welsh Fire on.

The partnership is broken by Carey but the Superchargers will feel assured of getting over the line with all their wickets in hand. 22 needed to win off 15.