Tight bowling and a classy display with the bat has helped the Auckland Hearts to an eight wicket victory over the Central Hinds.
Chasing 115 for victory the Hearts did it with ease and finished the job with more than four overs to spare.
Auckland opted to bowl first and managed to restrict the run rate well, but failed to take wickets regularly. Rachel Priest (35) and Sara McGlashan (28) made valuable contributions to ensure that Central would have something to defend.
However when it came time to put runs on at the end of the innings, both batsmen were dismissed. Kate Broadmore put on an important 23, to help the Hinds make a par score of 114 for five after 20 overs.
Lauren Down picked up two important wickets and the fielding from the Hearts also helped to contain Central.
In reply Auckland was always in control and got on top of the Hind’s bowlers early.
Import Stefanie Taylor was cruising to victory before she was dismissed for 33. Luckily Rachel Priest (22), Maddie Green (37*) and Katie Perkins (14*) all made sure that victory was a sure thing for the Hearts.
With just two wickets having fallen Auckland made the required runs with 4.1 overs still left to bat.
The Hearts will be buoyed by the strong performance, while Central’s bowling attack will be searching for ways to take more wickets with ball in hand.
