Bryce Lights Up a Soggy Old Trafford
Finals Day at Old Trafford was always going to be a battle against the elements, but The Blaze proved they are equally adept at conquering bad weather as they are at dismantling opposition attacks. A six-hour rain delay compressed what should have been a full day of cricket into frantic, shortened bursts, yet the quality on show — particularly from Kathryn Bryce — was anything but second-rate. When the covers finally came off just before 5pm BST, The Blaze were ready, and by the end of the evening they had added the T20 Women's County Cup to the T20 Blast title they secured back in July.
Semi-Finals Settled in a Flash
With time severely limited, both semi-finals were cut to just five overs apiece, making every delivery feel like a cup final in itself. The Blaze made short work of Essex in the first contest, Emma Jones leading the charge with an unbeaten 26 from just 14 balls as they knocked off the Essex total of 44-3 with nine balls to spare — a thoroughly one-sided affair that hinted at what was to come. The second semi produced far more drama. Surrey, runners-up in 2025, rode Bryony Smith's 25 to post 62-2 against Somerset. Bex Odgers gave Somerset a fighting chance, belting 29 from 12 balls, but she was caught at deep midwicket at a crucial moment and Somerset ultimately fell two runs short on 60-6, needing four from the final ball. Surrey were back in the final, and hungry for redemption.
Bryce Does It with Bat and Ball in the Final
The 13-over final was where Kathryn Bryce truly announced herself as the player of the day. Tasked with curbing a Surrey batting line-up that had already proven its mettle, she returned figures of 4-18 — a devastating spell that restricted the southern side to 91-8. Kira Chathli top-scored for Surrey with 25 from 23 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals, with Sarah Bryce — Kathryn's younger sister and The Blaze's wicketkeeper — contributing a catch and a run-out to make it something of a family affair.
Chasing 92, The Blaze lost Emma Jones (22 from 14 balls) and Tammy Beaumont in quick succession, both holing out off Alice Monaghan, and for a brief moment Surrey sensed an opening. But Kathryn Bryce had other ideas. Joining Georgia Elwiss at the crease, the pair constructed a decisive 40-run partnership in just four overs that effectively sealed the match. Bryce finished unbeaten on 38 and The Blaze crossed the line with six balls to spare.
Treble Threat Keeps Odds Shifting
From a broader perspective, this is a side that is genuinely difficult to stop right now. Having already lifted the T20 Blast and sitting comfortably clear at the top of the One-Day Cup group, The Blaze are firmly in contention for a historic treble — something that will not have gone unnoticed by the markets. Any outright odds on The Blaze claiming the One-Day Cup will have shortened further after this display, and rightly so. For punters tracking the women's game, they look the standout value option going into the final stages of that competition.
As someone who has spent years coaching at county level, I can say with some confidence that performances like Bryce's do not happen by accident — they come from a team operating with belief and structure. The Blaze are the real deal in 2025, and Lancashire, who won the inaugural edition of this competition earlier in the year, now have some serious company at the top of the women's county game. Expect this group to go deep in the One-Day Cup too.
