Weather puts paid to playoff chances for Otago Sparks

THE Otago Sparks’ playoff chances have been rained on by a Taranaki shower.

The side lost to the Central Hinds in New Plymouth yesterday by six runs after rain affected the match.

The Super Smash match had already been reduced to 17 overs each side because of rain at Pukekura Park before a ball was bowled.

The Hinds hit 126 for three wickets in their 17 overs thanks to an 88run partnership between Hannah Rowe and Arlo van Deventer.

In reply, Otago got off to a slow start and was 14 for two wickets when the rain came from nowhere and the players left the field.

Otago returned just over half an hour later and needed to score 52 runs off 23 balls.

Hayley Jensen then got run out and though Katey Martin and Caitlin Blakely did their best and hit 29 runs off the final two overs, the side was 59 for three wickets off eight overs, coming up six runs short.

Otago Sparks coach Craig Cumming said he was confident the team could get the target on Pukekura Park. But it made a slow start and once the rain came was in a tough position.

“Eight runs an over is gettable at Pukekura Park but 13 runs an over is getting up there. It only takes three or four dot balls and you get behind,” Cumming said.

“We hit some good shots near the end and I thought we bowled well in the final three overs to keep them in check.”

Cumming admitted the loss probably cost the side any chance of making the playoffs. The players prided themselves in doing well in the field but were slightly off with a lack of clean takes.

“It’s a ground where the ball does not come to you and knocks around a bit.

‘‘We were not quite on the ball there and a few runs got through and who knows, that could have made the difference.”