The Wellington Blaze won’t be in the final next week, but managed to beat the Central Hinds with one ball to spare in their last game of the Action Cricket Twenty20 competition.
Chasing 124 for victory Wellington made tough work of it and only just manages to sneak in a three wicket win largely thanks to White Fern Elizabeth Perry.
The Blaze won the toss and decided to take first crack at Central with the ball.
The Hinds though were up to the challenge and frustrated the Central bowlers with a determined batting display.
Openers Rachel Priest (34) and Katie Tomlinson (39) put on 80 for the first wicket, but were then dismissed in quick succession.
This brought two new batsmen to the crease which really slowed things down for Central, but an unbeaten 15 from Sara McGlashan and 12 from Kate Broadmore took the Hinds to 123 for three at the end of 20 overs.
Two of the three wickets were run outs, including the wicket of Tomlinson which hurt Central big time.
In reply Wellington got off to a good start with a 59 run partnership for the second wicket between Sarah Taylor (34) and Megan Wakefield (30).
The Blaze were looking strong, but a collapse would ensue to reduce Wellington to six for 86.
Elizabeth Perry was the only top-order batsmen left and saved Wellington from completely folding.
Perry played sensibly to make 41 not out and see her side to victory with just one ball remaining. It was a hero like display to finish off Wellington’s campaign on a winning note.
It was heart break for the Hinds who had bowled well, particularly Kate Broadmore who ended with figures of two for 12 from four overs.
