The question is can anyone beat the Canterbury Magicians?
The Northern Spirit certainly can’t as they lost their second Action Cricket Twenty20 match of the round by 24 runs in Christchurch today.
Chasing 157 for victory, the Spirit couldn’t get on top of the Canterbury bowling attack and were stuck on 132 for six at the end of 20 overs.
Northern opted to take another crack at the ever-consistent Magicians top order, but as most opposition have found, they couldn’t break them down.
The dismissal of Frances Mackay for 16 gave them an opportunity for a collapse, but that was quickly snuffed out as Janet Brehaut and Amy Satterthwaite yet again showed their class.
The pair took the home side to 106 before Satterthwaite was dismissed on 46 in the 16th over. Janet Brehuat though would last right to the end as she cruised to her half century and finished on 62 not out.
Mandie Godliman also made a quick-fire 24 to help the Magicians finish at 156 for two.
In reply Northern lost both openers early and looked in danger of being skittled when they were on two for two.
Luckily for them the rest of the top order roared into life as Anna Peterson and Nicola Browne calmed the ship for the Spirit.
Peterson was caught and bowled by Mackay on 32, but was replaced by in form keeper Natalie Dodd who kept the momentum going alongside Browne.
Browne has been in sublime form all season and brought up yet another half century as she made 58 from 52 deliveries.
It kept it respectable for the Spirit but the asking rate was too much and it soon became apparent that Canterbury were on their way to yet another victory.
Dodd made a helpful 25 in the losing effort as her side finished on 132 for six.
It was an all-round effort from the Magicians bowler to help the defending champs stay on track for another finals appearance.
