A quality half-century from skipper Jess Duffin and three wickets from Molly Strano has sewn up a finals berth for the Melbourne Renegades with a win over Sydney Thunder at the Junction Oval. The Renegades win ensured two-time WBBL champions Sydney Sixers will miss the finals for the first time in tournament history.

Duffin made 53 from 44 balls with six fours and a six to help her side post a competitive 6 for 151. She got good support from Danni Wyatt who made 44 from 31 after the Renegades had slumped to 2 for 6 in the third over courtesy two wickets from two balls by Samantha Bates. Rene Farrell went wicketless in her final WBBL game.

The Thunder's chase wilted under the pressure of the disciplined Renegades attack. They could not score at better than a run a ball in the powerplay. Strano removed three of the top four inside the first 13 overs while Alex Blackwell was run out in her final WBBL innings. The Thunder finished 29 runs short.