The Canterbury Magicians have won yet again in a close match with the Northern Spirit.
The defending champions have only just managed to contain the chasing Spirit as they maintained their position on top of the Action Cricket Twenty20 points table.
After their first real failure against Wellington in the previous round, the Magicians top order got back to their usual form as they took the home side to 70 for one. Opener Frances Mackay was dismissed on 37, but Captain Amy Satterthwaite showed she was still in great touch on her way to the Magicians’ top score of 61.
In reply the Spirit lost both openers early, but got their run chase back on track with a 54 run third wicket partnership between Anna Paterson and Nicola Browne. Browne fell for 32 and Peterson followed shortly after for 33.
Natalie Dodd made a last ditch effort for the Spirit and needed to make 14 off the last over for victory. She could only manage eight and unfortunately fell short of what would have been a massive win for Northern.
Dodd finished on 23 not out and Morna Nielsen also helped out with 13.
Canterbury bowled well when it counted to hold the Spirit, with Rachel Candy producing the best figures of two for 18 from four overs.
