2022/23 NZC Gillette Venus Women's Under 19 Tournament - Day Three
A top of the table clash saw Canterbury emerge as the only team still unbeaten after three rounds - while Auckland suffered their first hit at the 2022/23 NZC Gillette Venus Under 19 Women's Nationals in Lincoln.
Canterbury and Auckland's tussle was a tight one, only 16 runs separating the teams in a gripping and hard fought battle.
Canterbury skipper Izzy Sharp won the toss and batted first on Bert Sutcliffe Oval, and the multi-talented sportswoman top-scored for her side, narrowly missing out on a half century today with 49 off 75 balls at first drop.
She helped her team settle after an early breakthrough from Auckland's Leah Watton, off just the third ball of the day.
Sharp threaded together partnership with both Harriet Graham and Maggie Martin, but when Kate Irwin had her caught behind in the 27th at 109/4, Canterbury lost their way a little.
Rishika Jaswal pounced with a couple of quick wickets to accompany her two catches, until the Canterbury tail started to wag and chip in some handy runs to get their total up to 193, before losing their last wicket in the 47th.
Auckland needed just under four an over if they were to chase that down, in what proved to be a tight game.
Kate Craig would anchor the innings with 48, sharing a patient second-wicket stand with Kate Irwin (33) to build a foundation, and batting deep.
But Canterbury attacked the other end, and with three quick strikes around the 20-over mark, Auckland had to progress with care.
Jess Smith did exactly that, chipping in 38 off 34 balls in the next significant stand for her side, but her loss in the 35th over triggered another critical flurry.
Craig departed after having batted almost 41 overs at 174/8, before Canterbury closed in on the last three batters to bowl Auckland out for 177 in the 46th for a 16-run win.
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Over on Lincoln No.3, both Otago U19 and ND U19 were scrapping for their first win of the tournament. It would prove another tight game!
Northern Districts captain Tash Wakelin won the toss and batted, getting her team off to a good start with a 58-run opening stand with Amy Brown.
Brown went on to a half century (51), but a couple of quick strikes from both Isabel Parry (3-26) and Katelyn Walton (2-25) swung the momentum back to Otago.
Hannah O'Connor then made life difficult for the lower order, quickly helping herself to 4-13 off just 3.4 overs to bowl ND out for 196 in the 35th.
However, ND soon got themselves right back in the contest with the ball, making early breakthroughs and keeping the pressure on as Otago struggled to build partnerships in the top and middle order.
However, O'Connor in a good all-round performance and Molly Mason-Galletly provided a crucial injection of runs for the eighth wicket, their 54-run stand keeping Otago alive in the match.
ND finally prised them apart and got their opponents nine down, now on the brink of victory before Otago's last batter, Zarah Moana, hit the winning single in the 49th over for a tight but exhilarating first win.
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On Lincoln Green, Wellington Blaze rep Kate Chandler showed her class yet again as she nerveless guided her U19 side to a four-wicket win in another tight chase on the action-packed third afternoon.
In the last of the matches to finish, Wellington was chasing 221 for victory after Central Districts U19 had posted 220/8 in their 50 overs.
CD captain and opener Jessie Hollard had opted for a bat, and top-scored for her side with a patient 64.
But the Wellington team worked well as a unit to chip away with regular wickets, until a handy last-wicket stand of 51 from Grace Foreman and Gretel Fairbrother.
Wellington's Antonia Hamilton likewise got her side off to a good start at the top in the chase, with a knock of 62 at run-a-ball pace dominating the first two partnerships.
Enter Kate Chandler, the number four taking over the responsibility for the rest of the innings and patiently getting the target down to less than run a ball at the death.
She crossed the victory line unbeaten on 67 off 74 balls in the 48th over for a tight but well executed win.
6 December 2022 • ROUND THREE (one-day)
Bert Sutcliffe Oval
Canterbury U19 beat Auckland U19 by 16 runs
Lincoln No.3
Otago U19 beat Northern Districts U19 by one wicket
Lincoln Green
Wellington U19 beat Central Districts U19 by four wickets
