2023/24 HALLYBURTON JOHNSTONE SHIELD
Round 8
Sunday, 4 February 2024
University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
OTAGO SPARKS beat NORTHERN DISTRICTS by 7 wickets - bonus point win
Otago Sparks : 5 points
ND: 0 points
Yet again Felicity Robertson's Otago Sparks had the wood over her former side, Northern Districts at Uni Oval - effectively ending ND's title hopes.
About the only thing that went right for ND captain Eimear Richardson and her team was winning the toss, but after early wickets to Emma Black and Molly Loe, ND found themselves on the back foot early.
They lost a big wicket in Caitlin Gurrey (an aggressive 48) when young Chloe Deerness winkled out a catch for Suzie Bates at 90/3, and after that the scoring rate slowed.
Pressure told. Despite 34 from Sam Barriball and some support from her skipper Richardson (23), wickets fell regularly before the visitors found themselves all out for 194 in the 48th over - Bates finishing the job herself after a late larrop from Jesse Prasad (20 off 15).
The Sparks then showed how it was done, forming partnerships at the top to set up a handy bonus point win in the 33rd over.
Saffron Wilson (31) and Bella James (25) put on 54 for the first wicket, then James added 42 with Caitlin Blakely who reached 62 at a run-a-ball clip until Nensi Patel had her caught behind.
Skipper Robertson joined Blakely for a hearty 73-run stand for the third that effectively boxed ND out of the contest, finishing unbeaten on 49* with an ocean of time to spare, the Sparks in third spot now, and just two points away from second, with two big rounds to go.
Macro alias: CompetitionCentre
