WBBL round-up: Webb's last-ball six helps Renegades pull off great escape

The Melbourne Renegades pulled off an extraordinary win over the Sydney Sixers when, with five required off the final delivery, Courtney Webb launched Marizanne Kapp over long-on for six after they had needed 30 from the last two overs. Kapp had 15 to defend in the final over, but Webb was dropped off the second ball at long-off then a misfield in the deep gave her a boundary. Adding to the drama, a direct hit run-out from long-on by Lauren Smith removed Carly Leeson to leave the Renegades needing 7 off 2. Leeson had played a huge role in keeping the Renegades' hopes alive with a brace of sixes in the penultimate over off Sarah Aley after the Sixers had appeared set to defend 140. Danni Wyatt's half-century was anchoring the chase, but when she fell for 55 in the 15th over it felt like a decisive swing towards the Sixers. Kapp had earlier starred with the bat as her 52 off 34 balls hauled the Sixers to a competitive target on a pitch being used for the fourth time. However, perhaps of greater concern for the Sixers than the result was a potential injury to Ellyse Perry when she dived in the field and appeared to damage her right shoulder.

Barely 12 hours after completing victory over the Sydney Thunder, the Brisbane Heat made it a weekend double with a convincing eight-wicket over the Perth Scorchers at Drummoyne Oval. After Jess Jonassen's 4 for 23 - which took her to the top of the wicket-taking table - had restricted the Scorchers to 8 for 112, Beth Mooney continued her magnificent season with an unbeaten 60 which took her tally to 523 runs which is a new best for her in the WBBL. She is also the first player to pass 500 runs this season. The Heat had a huge headstart in the match by removing Amy Jones and Meg Lanning inside the first three overs. On a surface that has generally been tough for free-scoring this weekend, the Heat struggled throughout and didn't manage a six. Nat Sciver top-scored with 26. However, Mooney made things look much easier as she needed 44 balls for her unbeaten 60 while Jonassen completed a fine all-round day with an unbeaten 32 off 35 balls to seal the player the match award.

Sophie Devine continued her stunning all-round form to ensure Adelaide Strikers remain top of the WBBL table after thumping the struggling Melbourne Stars in Nuriootpa on Saturday. Devine thumped her fourth consecutive half-century and her fifth of the tournament, making 77 not out from 58 balls as the Strikers posted 2 for 153. Devine struck five fours and three sixes in her innings and got great support from in-form batter Bridget Patterson, who made 41 not out. The New Zealand allrounder then took 3 for 13 from three overs as the Stars failed to reach three figures in the chase. She took the key scalps of Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez in the powerplay. The Stars slumped to 3 for 20 when captain Elyse Villani sliced Tahlia McGrath to cover and they never recovered.

A solid all-round performance from another New Zealander, Amelia Kerr, and four wickets to Jess Jonassen helped Brisbane Heat defend 128 with ease against the struggling Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval on Saturday night. Kerr made a vital 21 not out from 16 balls to lift the Heat's total to 8 for 128 after they had slumped to 5 for 63. Laura Harris clubbed 30 from 22 balls including a sensational switch-hit for four. Thunder were on track early in the chase until Rachel Priest was run out. Jonassen then strangled the middle order removing Alex Blackwell and Phoebe Litchfield as the Thunder fell 32 runs short.

It made for a terrible two days for the Thunder after Ellyse Perry was again central to a Sydney Sixers victory as her 81 off 70 balls formed the cornerstone of their 40-run win in the local derby on Friday night. On a surface where free-scoring was difficult, it took the Sixers time to get into their stride with Perry and Alyssa Healy an understated 0 for 57 after 10 overs. Healy, who was dropped three times, then got going before Perry took charge of the latter stages including taking 19 off the final over. The Thunder were on the back foot early in the chase as Rachel Priest and the struggling Rachael Haynes fell inside the powerplay and the innings slumped to 6 for 67 with Sarah Aley taking out the key middle-order wickets of Alex Blackwell and Phoebe Litchfield.