The wait goes on for a maiden Hundred title for Welsh Fire.

Despite the men’s and women’s sides improving on their dismal last-place finishes in the 2025 campaign, both have failed to make this year’s top three to reach Friday’s Eliminator at the Oval.

The Cardiff-based franchise are the worst performing side in the competition’s history, and the men are yet to make the play-offs.

There has been a quiet sense of optimism that, under the ownership of tech billionaire Sanjay Govil, Fire could taste success for the first time.

It will not, however, be in 2026 and the franchise will now to go back to the drawing board before next year.

After a comfortable 15-run win against London Spirit at Sophia Gardens, Michael Klinger’s side finished fifth in the women’s overall standings.

They looked a much improved outfit compared to last season but three defeats in their first four games – alongside the loss of captain Sophie Devine, The Hundred’s joint most expensive signing – extinguished any hopes of a spot in Friday’s knockout match.

Replacement skipper Georgia Wareham led the side to three wins from four as they finished on a high and insists she has enjoyed her time in the Welsh capital, despite the ultimate lack of success.

“I’ve really enjoyed Cardiff, I’ve loved it here,” Wareham said.

“I’ve loved every minute with the team and the support staff. It’s been incredible.

“The fans, they’ve been awesome as well, they’ve been turning out every game. Even on the final game, despite us being out of the competition, they’ve showed up.

“It’s been really cool.”

Australian international Wareham and Lancashire bowler Grace Potts were the heroes on a scorching day in Cardiff.

A remarkable half century off just 34 balls for the Aussie batter set the tone, before Potts – who finished with three wickets – went agonisingly close to a hat-trick ball before closing out the victory, to the delight of her captain.

“Like most games here in Cardiff, we just had to keep the stumps in play as much as we could and sort of make them try and force something from us,” said Wareham.

“Potsy (Potts) did an amazing job at that and just doing what she does best, swinging the ball at the top.

“Orla [Prendergast] came on and did her thing as well, hitting a really hard length and forcing them to make some tricky shots. Our blueprint is pretty simple and it’s sort of worked for us today.”

It was despair once more for the men as they failed to qualify for the next round – a feeling they have become used to in The Hundred.

After Manchester Super Giants beat Leeds Sunrisers on Tuesday night they were all but eliminated, needing to win by a huge margin in their final game to overturn a poor net run-rate.

The Welsh franchise were left a target of 132 to chase after some disciplined bowling by Chris Woakes and Marco Jensen, but were unable to capitalize as Spirit clinched a tight encounter by six runs.

Former England international Woakes was left disappointed to fall short.

“It’s a shame because when you have a relatively good competition and obviously don’t make it through, you feel a little bit hard done by,” he said.

“But at the same time, the best teams win the most games and the difference between us and the top teams is only a couple of wins.

“It feels like a step in the right direction for the team and the franchise.”

Although Welsh Fire supporters have to endure another year without success in the 100-ball competition, the former Cricket World Cup winner believes there is reason to be optimistic for the future.

“The management and the owners did a great job with the auction. They put together a really good team with good depth,” added Woakes.

“We’ve got a team that can compete and can really go well in this tournament. So hopefully that’s a good sign moving forward. Naturally you need to improve in a few areas. That’s always going to be the case.

“From a core point of view, we’ve got a good, strong team with good depth. So hopefully, we can keep the majority for next year.”

Supporting the worst franchise in The Hundred’s history cannot be easy – so what do supporters think can help Welsh Fire take the next step?

“Sticking together is important, it’s difficult every year with a change of players,” said one fan, “If they can do what the Oval Invincibles (now MI London) did a few years ago and keep more of the team together that will help them in the long run.”

Elsewhere around Sophia Gardens there were calls for change: “Maybe some better quality players all around the pitch instead of particular areas, some more all rounders,” was the suggestion from one.

“Get Johnny Bairstow back,” was the call from another, having watched the former England international feature for MI London.

For now, all supporters will once again be looking on in envy as the 2026 Hundred reaches its climax – and hope maybe 2027 will finally be Welsh Fire’s year.