The Canterbury Magicians have got their Women’s Twenty20 defence off to a good start with a 19 run win over the Northern Spirit at Cobham Oval, Whangarei.
The Magicians kept the home side to 87 for eight in their 20 overs, having earlier posted 106 for seven on the back of some good work from their middle-order.
The Spirit’s pursuit was crippled by the loss of wickets at crucial times. Kerry-Anne Tomlinson (14) and Nicola Browne(18) both got healthy starts, but failed to push on.
After 13.2 overs the Spirit were 57 for five, but found hope in Natalie Dodd who sparked life into the innings with an unbeaten 26 from 27 balls.
She struggled to find a willing partner though and the Magicians in the end claimed a comfortable victory.
Hayley Jensen and Lea Tahuhu were both particularly damaging with the ball and finished with figures of two for eight from three and two for 12 from three respectively.
Earlier, Frances Mackay had been the key at the top of the order for her side with a handy 25 from 22 balls. The rest of the top order though didn’t make any major contributions, leaving it to the middle-order to build to a competitive total.
Erin Bermingham (18), Meg Kendal (22) and Rachel Candy (14) all did their part though to help their side break the 100 mark.
Brook Kirkbride put in an impressive effort with the ball and came away with match analysis of two for 17 from four overs.
The teams face off tomorrow in the first of two One-Day matches this weekend.
