London Spirit snuck past Trent Rockets with three balls to spare in a close-fought match, recording their first ever win over the Nottingham-based side.

Spirit started strongly, Beth Mooney bowled by Marizanne Kapp without scoring. After ten balls from Kapp, the Rockets were 2-1 but Sophia Dunkley carried on where she left off against Birmingham Phoenix, hitting a breezy, boundary-laden 23, including the only six of the innings.

Sophie Luff went one run better but it was Australian Ash Gardner who did the bulk of the scoring, hitting five fours in her 34 before England's vice-captain Charlie Dean got the better of her.

It was left to Bess Heath to get the Rockets up to a healthy score, her unbeaten 32 containing five crisp boundaries as the Rockets totalled 142-7. 

When Spirit batted, Grace Harris – who hit three muscular sixes in a 20-ball 37 – and Amy Jones put on 54 to break the back of the chase. They fell in quick succession and when Kapp and Sterre Kalis also departed, four wickets had gone down for 12 runs and the Rockets were perhaps favourites.

But Marie Kelly and Nadine de Klerk calmed the nerves and then started enjoying themselves, putting on 63 as Spirit reached their target with three balls to spare. Kelly was stumped just before the end but de Klerk’s second maximum sealed the deal, taking the London side level on points with Trent Rockets.