ROUND 9
CENTRAL HINDS lost to the CANTERBURY MAGICIANS by 3 wickets
Pukekura Park | 23 February 2020
Having already been in the danger zone needing results in Hamilton to go their way, defending champions the Central Hinds were sent in for the weather-delayed, penultimate must-win at Pukekura Park.
After overnight rain resulted in an early lunch, both the Hinds and Canterbury Magicians were anxious to get on the park before the ground dried out sufficiently for Magicians captain Frankie Mackay to win the toss in a reduced 36-over contest.
Jess Simmons and Gabby Sullivan then claimed two big wickets inside the first nine overs with Jess Watkin and Hinds captain Anlo van Deventer both back in the pavilion at 27 for two.
With the match in Hamilton subsequently abandoned and putting a qualification spot beyond their reach, the Hinds could now only spoil the Magicians' last shot at qualifying.
Restricted to 155 for seven as the Mags shared the wickets, the game got interesting when the Hinds replied in kind. Hannah Rowe struck in her first over to remove English import Ella Chandler, while Nat Cox made a fast start reaching 36 at run a ball pace, with two sixes.
Monique Rees and Melissa Hansen had chipped out their first wickets to have the Magicians 103 for three, but the big one was Mackay - and coming back into the attack, Rowe had her soon after in the 24th at 110 for four, caught on 33.
A clump of wickets then fell in quick succession to have the Magicians 115 for seven, but some good finishing from Kirsty Nation and Gabby Sullivan in an unbeaten 41*-stand got the visitors home in time for a bonus to keep the red and black flag flying in the campaign.
