White Fern Rebecca Steele produced an expert spell of bowling to help State Canterbury Magicians to a comfortable 120-run victory over State Auckland Hearts at Melville Park.
Steele took six wickets for only eights runs from a 10-over stint which included six maidens to contain Auckland to 69 all out with 12 overs to spare.
Steele built on the good work over Canterbury’s international duo Mandie Godliman and Haidee Tiffen.
Former England wicketkeeper Godliman top-scored with 62, while White Fern Tiffen
contributed 58 as part of their 114-run second-wicket stand.
The Magicians lost Maria Fahey in the first over but on the back of their international duo they eventually recorded 189 for seven from their 50 overs. Prashilla Mistry enjoyed best bowling with three wickets, but conceded 45 runs, with 38 off her last four overs.
Auckland were in trouble from the first legitimate ball, as Rebecca Rolls hit the next one straight to Fahey at square leg.
Steele took a brilliant catch at slip to remove Victoria Lind and then began a fine bowling spell – bettered only in State League play by Auckland’s Munukoa Tunupopo's 7/19 in 2000.
Steele was helped by two great catches, one by Maria Fahey at short extra cover to dismiss Wendy Horneman, and then a brilliant running effort by Michelle Mitchell at mid-on to dismiss Natalee Scripps.
Only the resistance of Mistry and Helen Watson – who ground out a determined 22 not out over almost 90 minutes – for their 22-run last-wicket stand avoided Auckland’s lowest-ever State League total.
