Taranaki beat Manawatu¯ in T20 final

CRICKET: The Manawatu¯ women’s team has finished its season with a loss in the regional twenty20 tournament.

But, they grabbed two wins from three matches at Donnelly Park in Levin over the weekend.

Manawatu¯, Taranaki, Nelson and Wairarapa played each other in a useful warm-up for the upcoming provincial twenty20 tournament in Canterbury.

Hawke’s Bay and Whanganui didn’t field sides, but some of their Central Hinds players were distributed among the teams taking part.

In their first game on Saturday, Manawatu¯ ’s 132/8 was enough to beat Wairarapa, who made 126/4.

A solid batting performance in the second match against Nelson saw Manawatu¯ through to 139/4.

Nelson never got near, getting rolled for just 86.

Young spinner Imo Boss was the star for Manawatu¯, grabbing four for 10. Opening the bowling, Grace Minnis went for just three off her two overs, picking up two wickets.

The final game against Taranaki – effectively a grand final between the two unbeaten sides – was disappointing.

Taranaki easily overhauled Manawatu¯ ’s 142 by nine wickets.

But, the season was a good one for Manawatu¯ , who defended the 40-over Mike Shrimpton Trophy title in a thrilling game against Taranaki.

Coach Jacob Oram rated that, and the big win against Whanganui before Christmas, as the season’s highlights.

Against Whanganui, Manawatu¯ powered to 363/2 on the back on an incredible double-ton from Rebecca Burns and then bowled Whanganui out for 90.

Oram was also pleased with the progress Boss and Minnis made.

‘‘We had some very consistent performers from our senior players. Sarah Norman in particular, also Hannah Rowe, Rebecca Burns and Mikaela Greig were very consistent.

‘‘I think that helped with the whole season... that our experienced players performed.’’

This took the pressure off the youngsters, Oram said.