Trent Rockets brought Manchester Super Giants’ unbeaten start to The Hundred to an end with a 31-run victory at Emirates Old Trafford.
Sophia Dunkley and Sophie Luff struck important half-centuries to help the Rockets post 153 for 8 before Ash Gardner delivered a match-winning bowling spell of 4 for 16.
Manchester were bowled out for 122, with Meg Lanning’s 35 and Kathryn Bryce’s 27 unable to rescue the chase.
Mandhana Falls Early in the Chase
Manchester needed 154 for victory but suffered an early setback when Smriti Mandhana was dismissed for four from the seventh ball of the innings. The India opener advanced down the pitch against Samantha Bates but was beaten and stumped, removing one of the home side’s most dangerous batters.
Manchester quickly slipped to 31 for 3 as Trent Rockets applied pressure with disciplined bowling.
Lanning struggled for strike during the early part of the chase but began to accelerate once she faced Katie Levick, taking on the leg-spinner and briefly reviving Manchester’s hopes.
Gardner Removes Lanning at Crucial Moment
Lanning appeared capable of pulling the Super Giants back into the match before Gardner delivered the decisive breakthrough. The Australian all-rounder trapped her lbw for 35, leaving Manchester in serious trouble at 89 for 5.
Gardner then contributed in the field by taking an excellent catch at long-off to dismiss Bryce for 27.
Maitlan Brown produced some late attacking strokes to keep the required rate within reach, but her run-out following sharp work from Georgia Adams effectively ended Manchester’s resistance.
Gardner then ran through the lower order to complete figures of 4 for 16 as the hosts were dismissed for 122.
Rockets Recover After Mooney’s Early Dismissal
Earlier, Trent Rockets lost Beth Mooney when she attempted to pull a delivery from Grace Ballinger that stayed low and was bowled.
With Nat Sciver-Brunt still managing a calf injury, Luff moved up to No. 3 and made the most of the opportunity.
She joined Dunkley in a vital partnership that rebuilt the innings and gradually shifted the pressure back onto Manchester.
Luff and Dunkley Take Control
Luff used her feet confidently against Sophie Ecclestone, launching the left-arm spinner over the leg side for six. She then attacked Bryce with three consecutive boundaries as the Rockets began to increase the scoring rate.
Dunkley also found her rhythm, with both batters clearing the midwicket boundary against de Villiers. Their fifty-run partnership came from only 33 deliveries and provided Trent with the foundation for a competitive total.
Luff reached her maiden half-century in The Hundred before being dismissed for 51.
Dunkley followed her to the milestone and eventually fell for 57 after being caught at point off Ecclestone.
Manchester Fight Back Late
Manchester briefly regained control after removing both half-centurions.
Ecclestone bowled Bess Heath for a duck before de Villiers had Gardner stumped for five.
The Rockets lost three wickets for only five runs during the collapse, giving the Super Giants an opportunity to restrict them below 150.
However, Trent’s lower order found enough runs to push the total to 153 for 8, which ultimately proved comfortably beyond Manchester’s reach.
Dunkley Named Player of the Match
Dunkley was named Player of the Match after combining her 57 with three catches in the outfield. She admitted that batting had not been easy but praised Luff for giving the innings momentum.
“I found the pitch a little bit tricky, it wasn’t my best fluency but great to get the win,” Dunkley said.
“It took me a while to get used to the conditions. I thought Luffy was outstanding as well, came in and brought the momentum and got us to a really good score.”
When asked whether Trent Rockets had finished with fewer runs than they would have liked, she acknowledged that the batting side could have added more from its platform.
“Yeah, I guess. You always want to get more from that platform, but a great performance with the ball.”
Rockets Aim to Build Home Momentum
The result gave Trent Rockets an important victory while handing Manchester Super Giants their first defeat of the campaign.
Trent Rockets still have two home fixtures remaining, and Dunkley believes the team can use the victory to build further momentum.
“Two more games at home and we want to make that a fortress.”
Dunkley is averaging 46 for Trent Rockets this season and will look to extend her strong run of form when they face Sunrisers Leeds on August 2.
