Auckland won five out of seven matches at the National Women’s Development Tournament to lift the crown for the third year in a row.
The champions finished with 26 points despite losing their final match to Central Districts.
Central’s late win meant they ended up sharing second spot with Northern Districts – both racking up 20 points.
Canterbury, who led the competition at the end of the 50-over section, finished in fourth spot while Otago (12 points) and Wellington (2 points) propping up the table.
Central Districts v Auckland
Lincoln Green
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match971/scorecard.aspx
Central Districts finished the tournament on a high with a 22 run win over tournament winners Auckland. An unbeaten 102 run partnership between Kelly Rangi (65*) and Sonia Thompson (50*) propelled Central to 155 for two after they won the toss and elected to bat.
The Auckland run chase got off to a horror start with their first four batters back in the hut after 10.2 overs with just 45 on the board. A late fight back from Lily Milivai who lashed 42 off 33 and Alex Eastwood who pounded 41 off 25 threatened the total but it proved too be too little too late with Central restricting them to 133 for six. Central All-rounder Thompson capped a brilliant match with two for 12 off her four overs to go with her half-century.
Wellington v Northern Districts
Bert Sutcliffe Oval
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match972/scorecard.aspx#current
A massive 130 runs second wicket stand between Felicity Leydon-Davis and Rhiana Vincent helped Northern Districts to a thumping nine wicket win over Wellington. Leydon-Davis blasted 57 off 51 while Vincent struck 42 off 48 as the pair chased down Wellington’s total with over three overs to spare.
Earlier, Wellington put on 130 for five after winning the toss and electing to bat with opener Renee Moffitt’s 30 the top score. Caitlin Eves made a useful 30 in the middle but the innings lacked significant partnerships or big individual scores. Northern bowlers Hannah Beatson and Emily Bailey were both impressive taking identical figures of two for 22 off four overs.
Canterbury v Otago
Lincoln No.3
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match973/scorecard.aspx
Canterbury’s score of 150 for three was too good for Otago who could only manage 124 for 6 in reply after they won the toss and chose to bowl. There weren’t any massive individual contributions from Canterbury with a number of middling scores helping them set the useful target. Opener Lisa Moore was the best with 38 off 36 while Hayley Alburn only needed 24 deliveries for her 33.
Victoria Abbott did her best to get Otago home with 37 runs but it wasn’t enough as tight bowling from Canterbury restricted the scoring. Jess Hastings was accurate and economical for Canterbury taking two for 18.
Final standings:
Auckland – 26 pts
Central Districts – 20
Northern Districts – 20
Canterbury – 18
Otago – 12
Wellington – 4
