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Wellington Blaze edged out Otago Sparks in a last ball thriller at Barton Oval in Upper Hutt.
Otago openers Sarah Tsukigawa and Suzie Bates got off to a brilliant start as they blasted 141 for the first wicket as Otago, who opted to bat, made 167 for three.
Tsukigawa hammered 70 off 52 in an inning containing no fewer than nine boundaries and a six. Bates went one better with 71 off 60 deliveries but had to run most of hers with only four boundaries.
Lucy Doolan got the Wellington run chase off to a flyer with a pacey 44 off 30 balls.
That set the platform for the classy Sarah Taylor and power hitter Sophie Devine to rip into the attack. Taylor worked the gaps, hitting 42 off 27 while Devine smashed three fours and a six in her 40 off 23.
The Otago bowlers clawed their way back into the game, taking wickets of the set batsmen but Liz Perry guided them home with a useful 18 off 15. However, it was Amanda Cooper who was called upon to hit one run off one ball who will be hailed the hero in tight contest.
