Auckland ease into one-day final

Auckland will carry plenty of momentum into Saturday’s national women’s one-day cricket final after bringing up a winning double over Canterbury yesterday.

Just a day after thrashing the opponents they will meet in the final by 148 runs, Auckland cruised to an 108 run win at Hagely Oval.

The defending champions will be back in Christchurch for the final and must be short-priced favourites to defend their title.

Batting first, Auckland made an imposing 277-7 from their 50 overs with Sara Mcglashan backing up her unbeaten 119 on Saturday with 88 not out yesterday.

Mcglashan had plenty of support with Anna Peterson making 72 and Lauren Down 56.

Canterbury struggled in the chase and never looked a threat, eventually crawling their way to 169-6.

Elsewhere, the Central Hinds might have finished last but they still enjoyed the final day of the competition, beating the Northern Spirit by six wickets in Napier.

The Spirit could only manage 126 as they were bowled out in the 40th over, Jess Watkin doing most of the damage with four wickets. While the Hinds had some issues with their chase, an unbeaten 33 from Michelle Mitchell got them home safely.

Otago also ended their campaign on a high note with a 28-run win over Wellington at the Basin Reserve.