Road To The Final: Women's Metro Bank One Day Cup Journey

Warwickshire (A): 23rd April 2025 (Group Stage)

Hampshire began their Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign with a dramatic tie at Edgbaston. In a low-scoring thriller, Hampshire were bowled out for 208 in 48.3 overs, with Rhianna Southby top-scoring with 72 from 95 balls and Abi Norgrove contributing 28.

Warwickshire were also bowled out for exactly 208, their last wicket falling from the final ball of the 50th over. Linsey Smith was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 39, cutting through the Warwickshire middle order to keep Hampshire in the game until the very last ball.

The match was a perfect introduction to the inaugural women's Metro Bank One Day Cup, showcasing the competitive nature of the new tournament.

Surrey (H): 27th April 2025 (Group Stage)

Hampshire secured their first victory of the campaign with an impressive 50-run win over Surrey at Utilita Bowl. Hampshire posted 259 for 8 in their 50 overs, with Maia Bouchier striking an attractive 61 and Ella McCaughan impressing with 64.

Surrey struggled in their reply, falling to 23 for 3 early on. Despite a fighting 57 from Alice Capsey and 40 from Alice Monaghan, they were bowled out for 209 in 43.2 overs. Linsey Smith was outstanding with 3 for 28, while Lauren Bell claimed 2 for 43.

This victory gave Hampshire their first taste of success in front of their home crowd in the new competition format.

Lancashire Thunder (A): 30th April 2025 (Group Stage)

Hampshire produced one of the performances of the tournament at Southport, chasing down Lancashire's imposing total of 292 for 6 with remarkable ease. Hampshire reached 295 for 2 in just 47 overs, winning by 8 wickets with 18 balls to spare.

Opener Ella McCaughan starred with a sensational senior career-best 133 not out off 141 balls, anchoring Hampshire's chase with a masterful display of controlled aggression that helped them cruise to their target of 293.

This was a statement victory that announced Hampshire as serious title contenders, showcasing their powerful batting lineup's ability to chase big totals with ease.

The Blaze (A): 4th May 2025 (Group Stage)

Hampshire's unbeaten start came to an end at Trent Bridge, where they suffered their first defeat of the campaign. Hampshire were bowled out for 189, with Ella McCaughan top-scoring with 57.

Tammy Beaumont starred for The Blaze with a magnificent unbeaten 112, sharing an unbroken 159-run partnership with Georgia Elwiss (58 not out) to guide The Blaze to a comfortable 7-wicket victory with 13.1 overs to spare.

Durham (H): 7th May 2025 (Group Stage)

Hampshire bounced back from their defeat to The Blaze with a convincing performance at Arundel against Durham. Hampshire's spinners, led by two wickets for Charli Knott and incredibly economical spells from Linsey Smith and Bex Tyson stifled Durham and kept them to an under-par total.

In reply, Maia Bouchier crashed 53, her third half-century of the summer, as she continued to rebuild her confidence after a difficult winter with England. Charli Knott oozed class for her first half-century of the Metro Bank One Day Cup as Hampshire knocked off the runs three down with 74 balls to spare.

Essex (H): 11th May 2025 (Group Stage)

Georgia Adams won the battle of the century-making captains as Hampshire beat Essex by 17 runs at Utilita Bowl in a high-scoring encounter. Adams' 110, with assistance from Rhianna Southby's 61 and Ella McCaughan's 44, helped Hampshire to a healthy 273 for 5.

Essex skipper Grace Scrivens replied with a classy 101, her second century in successive innings, to put herself firmly in the frame for England selection. However, left-arm spinner Linsey Smith produced a match-winning spell of 4 for 33 to give Hampshire their fourth victory in six matches and maintain their position among the pacesetters.

Somerset (A): 13th May 2025 (Group Stage)

In a rain-affected encounter at Taunton, Hampshire secured a memorable 31-run victory over Somerset via the DLS method. Hampshire posted 213 for 10 in their 50 overs, with Charli Knott starring with a patient 64 from 102 balls and Rhianna Southby contributing 46.

Knott then took 2 for 25 with her off-breaks as Somerset were reduced to 109 for 8 inside 33 overs, with Sophie Luff fighting hard with 74 from 108 balls. Captain Georgia Adams showed her all-round abilities, taking 3 for 36, while Bex Tyson provided excellent support with 2 for 35.

This victory showcased Hampshire's ability to perform under pressure in difficult conditions, experience that would prove invaluable later in the tournament when rain threatened their semi-final hopes.

Warwickshire (H): 19th May 2025 (Group Stage)

Hampshire completed the double over Warwickshire with a thrilling 3-wicket victory at Arundel, winning with just 4 balls to spare. Warwickshire posted 243 for 7, with Abi Freeborn starring with an unbeaten 94 from 129 balls and Charis Pavely contributing a valuable 55.

In reply, Charli Knott played a masterful innings of 82 from 88 balls, with her scoring dominated by boundaries, hitting eight of them in her first 46 balls to reach her half-century. Georgia Adams provided excellent support with 68 from 109 balls. Despite losing wickets regularly, Hampshire held their nerve with Nancy Harman (21*) and Mary Taylor (4*) seeing them over the line in a tense finish.

Surrey (A): 24th July 2025 (Group Stage)

Hampshire suffered a setback in their quest for top spot as Surrey secured a thrilling 4-wicket victory at Guildford via the DLS method. Despite posting 278 all out, Hampshire were denied by a determined Surrey side featuring the returning England stars Alice Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

Surrey initially struggled to build regular partnerships but Davidson-Richards capitalised on a lengthy rain delay and smashed 62 to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for Surrey. They chased down a revised target of 214 from 31 overs, reaching 217 for 6 with just 2 balls to spare.

This was a rare defeat for Hampshire in what had otherwise been a dominant campaign.

The Blaze (H): 30th July 2025 (Group Stage)

Hampshire emphatically bounced back from their Surrey defeat with a superb bonus point victory over The Blaze at Utilita Bowl. England starlet Freya Kemp smashed her first career century, turning around Hampshire's innings after they had slumped to 34 for 3.

Kemp's magnificent 109 from 92 balls, supported by Nancy Harman's personal best 77 from 78 balls in a crucial 136-run partnership, powered Hampshire to 291. In reply, The Blaze hung their hopes on Georgia Elwiss's 87, but Hampshire's bowlers with Ellyse Perry making her final Hampshire appearance, restricted them well short of the target.

This comprehensive victory reclaimed top spot and demonstrated Hampshire's championship credentials.

Essex (A): 4th September 2025 (Group Stage)

Hampshire secured a crucial 4-run victory over Essex at Chelmsford in a rain-affected encounter reduced to 17 overs per side. Despite the challenging conditions, Hampshire showed their experience in adapting to shortened formats.

Hampshire posted 101 for 7 in their 17 overs, with Maia Bouchier and Freya Kemp both top-scoring with 31 before the innings crumbled from 59 for 1. Essex's Esmae MacGregor was the pick of the home attack with 2 for 17.

In reply, Essex fell agonisingly short on 97 for 6, with Sophie Munro top-scoring with an unbeaten 28. Freya Davies and Bex Tyson starred with the ball to defend what looked like an under-par total, showcasing Hampshire's ability to win tight games under pressure.

Durham (A): 7th September 2025 (Group Stage)

Leaders Hampshire clinched a semi-final berth in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup after a convincing nine-wicket victory with 13.2 overs to spare against Durham at the Banks Homes Riverside. Maia Bouchier and Rhianna Southby put on a spectacular display, chasing down 171 inside just 24 overs to secure a crucial bonus point victory.

Final Group Matches: September 2025

Hampshire's final two group fixtures against Somerset (home) and Lancashire (away) were both abandoned due to rain. However, the points gained were enough to confirm Hampshire's position as group winners.

Group Stage Summary: Hampshire topped the table with nine wins and two defeats from their completed matches. Their consistent performances both home and away established them as the tournament's form team.

Surrey (H): 17th September 2025 (Semi-Final)

Hampshire booked their place in the Metro Bank One Day Cup final with a thrilling victory over Surrey at Utilita Bowl. Hampshire chased down Surrey's challenging total of 287 to win by 4 wickets with 17 balls to spare.

Captain Georgia Adams led from the front with a magnificent unbeaten 107 from 101 balls, her second century for Hampshire. She was brilliantly supported by Freya Kemp, who blazed 50 from just 26 balls with seven fours and two sixes, and Mary Taylor, who played a match-winning knock of 60 not out.

Surrey had posted 287 all out, with Kira Chathli top-scoring with 81 and Alice Monaghan contributing 55. Hampshire fought back superbly with the ball, led by Freya Davies' excellent 4 for 39 and Bex Tyson's 2 for 39.

Hampshire always had the threat of rain hovering over the chase, with heavy dark clouds constantly threatening to dump on Utilita Bowl. As such, keeping up with the DLS par score was crucial, while wickets would be decisive. After Hampshire lost both openers early, Kemp's explosive innings put them ahead of the DLS par score before Adams took control. Despite the rain that put pressure on the required rate, Adams found the perfect partner in Taylor for the decisive partnership.

Adams was emotional after securing Hampshire's place in the final: "In my head I said I didn't want to say goodbye to Freya Davies yet. She is retiring at the end of the season so let's give her a send off. Hopefully she can sign off by lifting a trophy in Hampshire colours."

Final Awaits: Hampshire will face Lancashire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup final at Utilita Bowl on Sunday, 21st September 2025, with the opportunity to lift the inaugural women's trophy on their home ground.

Hampshire's journey to the final has been built on consistent performances throughout the group stage, outstanding leadership from Georgia Adams, and crucial contributions from players like Maia Bouchier, Freya Kemp, Charli Knott, Freya Davies, and Bex Tyson. Now they have the chance to make history by becoming the first winners of the Metro Bank One Day Cup women's competition.