Southern Brave’s women’s team held off MI London by a single run in a gripping finish at Utilita Bowl.

Maia Bouchier started brightly with 31 off 22 balls and Jemimah Rodrigues’ inventive 32 helped the Brave build a competitive total, while Laura Wolvaardt scored 35 as Southern Brave finished on 126 for seven.

Hayley Matthews hit a flurry of early boundaries for MI London but was bowled by Issy Wong for 32.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge anchored the visitors’ innings with an unbeaten 52, but Brave kept chipping away and Sarah Glenn dismissed Hollie Armitage for 27.

Brave captain Sophie Molineux delivered a tight penultimate set, which left Lauren Bell eight runs to defend from the final five balls.

Bell bowled immaculately at Wyatt-Hodge and Nicola Carey as MI London finished on 125 for three and the Brave’s 126 ultimately proved just enough.

Rodrigues said: “This team has great belief. It’s the calmness we show under pressure – our bowlers bowled really well.”

Southern Brave’s men’s team were also involved in a final-ball thriller against MI London, but this time it was the visitors who edged home by three wickets thanks to two runs off the final ball.

Jamie Smith top-scored for the Brave with a hard-fought 49, while Tristan Stubbs contributed 38 as the hosts finished on 129 for nine.

The Brave fought back admirably with the ball. Marcus Stoinis was particularly effective, taking three for 17 and removing James Vince and Nicholas Pooran in consecutive deliveries during the powerplay.

Adil Rashid bowled Sam Curran for 30, Stoinis returned to dismiss Will Jacks for a crucial 54, and Chris Jordan produced a brilliant direct-hit to remove Sherfane Rutherford for 21 just as the momentum was shifting.

Nikhil Chaudhary bowled Tom Curran and Rashid Khan was run out, but Ollie Pope’s cut shot sealed the visitors’ win off the final ball.