The Auckland Hearts secured a place in next week’s final having beaten the northern Spirit by four wickets in the Action Cricket Twenty20 competition.
Auckland looked in trouble chasing Northern’s 133, but an unbeaten 86 from Stefanie Taylor gave them victory with one over to spare.
Auckland opted to bowl first and would have been happy with how they restricted their opposition.
Many players in the Northern batting line up made starts for their side, but couldn’t push on and convert their time at the crease into big scores.
Heidi Arndt, Anna Peterson, Nicola Browne and Morna Neilsen were all dismissed in the twenties after showing signs of promise when first at the crease.
The regular wickets stopped Northern from going on to the total they looked capable of and were held to 134 for eight after 20 overs.
Taylor was the pick of the bowlers for Auckland and collected figures of two for 14 from four overs.
In reply it was one player who stole the show. Taylor backed up her bowling performance by single-handedly leading Auckland to victory with the bat.
The West-Indies international remained at the crease as she watched her team mates crumble around her.
Lauren Down made 17, but it paled in comparison to Taylor’s unbeaten 86 which included five fours and as many sixes.
Without her Auckland wouldn’t have had a show.
In the end they won with four wickets and an over to spare, but the game will be remembered for a brilliant individual performance by 2011 ICC Player of the Year, Stefanie Taylor.
