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Shabnim Ismail's class with the ball and Hannah Darlington's fielding brilliance helped the Thunder hold off the fast finishing Renegades in a WBBL thriller.

A spectacular last-ball outfield catch from youngster Hannah Darlington helped Sydney Thunder hold on to a nail-biting three-run WBBL win over Melbourne Renegades at Blacktown.

With four required for victory off the final delivery to reel in the Thunder's 8-132, red-hot Renegades captain Jess Duffin (69) skied Rene Farrell miles in the air before 18-year-old Darlington snared a superb tumbling catch on the straight boundary.

The Renegades had slumped to 4-26 and could have been 5-26 had Alex Blackwell hung on to a tough chance at mid-wicket when Duffin was on four.

With the required rate soaring past 10 an over, Duffin, after a justifiably cautious start, led the rearguard fightback, crunching two sixes in her 56-ball gem and finding an able ally in Courtney Webb (32).

The pair put on 88 before Webb was castled by star South African quick Shabnim Ismail (3-14), who was named player of the match.

Farrell (2-23) held her nerve with 15 needed off the 20th over while Darlington (2-19) impressed with the ball and in the field.

Earlier, Rachael Haynes top-scored with 36 for the Thunder who lacked a Duffin-style masterclass but had a number of cameo contributors, including Naomi Stalenberg and Blackwell who both made 21 and provided solid support for Haynes.

Sophie Molineaux (3-28) cut into the Thunder's top six while Maitlan Brown (3-28) took all three of her wickets in the last over.