Auckland move clear at top of table

Auckland remains unbeaten after securing a tight win over Central District in the tight top of the table clash today. Central stay in second spot despite the loss, with Canterbury two points behind on third.

The stand out performer for round four was Wellington all-rounder Hannah Bedford who snared four wickets and lashed 29 runs to help secure a one-wicket win over Northern Districts.

Tomorrow’s match of the round is between early pace setters Auckland and third-placed Canterbury.

Auckland v Central Districts

Toss: Auckland won the toss and elected to bat
Auckland 159 (Hui 35, Hickson 22; Rangnekar 4/38, Singh 2/28) beat
Central Districts 125 (Lanser 31; Frey 27; Lili’I 3/11, Guy 2/23, Preet 2/24)

Auckland defended the modest total of 159 against Central Districts in the top of the table clash to win by 34 runs.

It was tough going for the Auckland batsmen with Sandee Hui the best of the line up, hitting 34, while Tessa Hickson was next best with 22. A late partnership between Hui and Georgia Guy carried them through to a defendable total. Central bowler Sanika Rangnekar was outstanding taking four for 38 including two wickets in two balls.

Central captain Esther Lanser got the reply off to a great start with 31 but the rest of the Central batsmen fell easily to hand Auckland a comfortable 34 run win. Auckland’s Regina Lili’i was economical and accurate finishing with three for 11 with Guy and Komel Preet-Gill chipping in with two each.

Northern Districts vs Wellington

Toss: Wellington won the toss and elected to field
Northern Districts 168 (Arndt 56 n.o., Vincent 29; Bedford 4/18, Narasy 2/11) lost to
Wellington 169/9 (Bennett 35, Bedford 29, Eves 27; Beatson 3/27, Bailey 2/19)

The match between Northern Districts and Wellington went down to the wire with Wellington reaching the target win two balls to spare and one wicket in hand.

Northern’s total of 168 was largely thanks to a classy 56 not out from Heidi Arndt. Rhiana Vincent struck 29 but there was little else to celebrate for Northern. Wellington bowler Hannah Bedford was at her destructive best, tearing trough the top order and finishing with four for 18.

A number of the Wellington batsmen got starts but none could stick around. Jessica Bennett top scored with 35 and bowling star Bedford made an invaluable 29. Hannah Beatson did her best to defend the modest total with three for 27 but it wasn’t enough to stop Wellington from recording a slender one-wicket win.

Canterbury v Otago

Canterbury 249/6 (Hastings 74, Aburn 41, Fitzsimon 34; Osborn 2/29) beat
Otago 206 (Crowley 78, Miller 30; Burns 2/14)

Canterbury set the pace first up, putting on 249 in a well paced innings. Jessica Hastings crafted a superb 74 not out with Hayley Aburn making 41 and Sam Fitzsimon contributing 34.

In reply, a fluent half-century from Otago batsmen Kylie Crowley couldn’t stop Canterbury from racking up their third win from four matches. Chasing a big Canterbury total, and with wickets falling regularly, Crowley battled hard but ran out of partners and when she fell for 78 all chance of victory was lost. Wickets were shared by the Canterbury bowling attack, helping secure a 43 run win.

Points after Round 4:

Auckland – 20
Central Districts – 15
Canterbury – 13
Wellington – 9
Northern Districts – 0
Otago – 0

Final round (Saturday 19 December):

Auckland v Canterbury
Central Districts v Wellington
Northern Districts v Otago