Duckett leads Rockets to convincing win over Fire

Trent Rockets recorded a nine‑wicket win over Welsh Fire in the Hundred men’s fixture at Sophia Gardens, reaching the target of 123 with 28 balls left unused. Chasing 123 on a variable pitch, the visitors got off to a solid start as Ben Duckett and Finn Allen added 75 runs for the opening stand. Allen contributed 33 from 19 balls before falling to Rachin Ravindra, leaving Rockets requiring 48 from 56 deliveries. Duckett, however, steered the chase with an unbeaten 52 from 45 balls, his seventh half‑century in the competition. He reached the milestone in 43 balls and saw the side home with Tom Banton’s unbeaten 31 off 15 balls providing the finishing flourish. Welsh Fire had earlier posted 122‑7 from their 100 balls. Matt Short top‑scored with 36 from 26 balls, while Mitchell Santner claimed 3‑35, removing Ravindra for 16 and later dismissing Jordan Cox, who had struck 33 from 16 balls including three consecutive sixes off Santner. Fire’s defence was hampered by seven extras conceded, and despite a late surge from Cox they could not prevent the Rockets from sealing the victory. The triumph completed a treble over Fire on Wednesday, following the women’s side’s earlier comfortable win. In the Fire innings, Phil Salt and Joe Root departed cheaply to Matt Henry’s bowling, leaving the side struggling at 122‑7. Short remained the only recognised batter to make a meaningful impact, and Santner’s spell finished with figures of 3‑35.