Gallant Magicians fall just short
The Canterbury Magicians may be unbeaten in the national T20 championship, but they suffered their fourth loss yesterday in the 50-over game to unbeaten competition leader Auckland at Lincoln yesterday.
The Magicians made a gallant effort to overhaul Auckland’s healthy 239 for five on Bert Sutcliffe Oval but fell 12 runs short with 1.3 overs left.
After their seventh successive win Auckland (30 points) has marched into the mid-January final leaving the four other teams, Wellington (18), Otago (14), Northern (13) and Canterbury (12) vying for the other spot. Central (5) is out of contention.
Auckland’s batting star was Sam Curtis who batted through the innings to post an unbeaten 95 from 126 balls, her highest score at this level, and shared substantial top order stands with both Vic- toria Lind and Maddy Green.
The Magicians bowlers were not collared, with Rachel Candy the pick taking two for 39, but 20 wides was a black mark.
Canterbury’s reply was centred on White Ferns Frankie Mackay and Amy Satterthwaite who both posted half-centuries – Mackay 67 from 88 balls and Satterthwaite 65 off 79.
At 129 for one starting the 30th over Canterbury was well placed but Lauren Down claimed three quick wickets.
Candy rallied the innings with 26 from 22 balls but Cox closed the innings with a brace of victims.
Wellington outlasted Otago in a high-scoring match with the capital’s 256 leading them to a 17-run against the southerners who gave them some anxious moments.
Both sides had a centurymaker, with opener Renee Moffitt making 102 from 134 balls and with 14 fours before falling in the 41st over.
Otago skipper Suzie Bates replied in kind with 104 from 110 balls and 10 fours and shared a 115-run fourth wicket stand with fellow New Zealand representative Katey Martin to carry Otago to 214 for three after 40 overs. But once the stand was broken, with Michelle Bunkall having a hand in four dismissals, the Otago innings buckled.
Central Districts compiled a handy 219 for eight, capped by 60s from Sara McGlashan and Rachel Priest, but Northern Districts mowed it down with ease, losing just one wicket in the 44th over.
Natalie Dodd and KerryAnne Tomlinson added 162 for the opening wicket to lay the victory platform in 32 overs with Dodd finishing unbeaten on 101 from 134 balls.