Hearts sing as Final spot secured

Aggressive top order batting from the Auckland Hearts helped claim a second win on the last weekend of the regular season - succeeding in their last-ditch attempt to join the Otago Sparks in Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Final coming up in Dunedin on Saturday.

The Hearts raid on Hagley Oval not only ended the Magicians' season with twin losses, but bumped out the Central hinds who had headed into their last two games ahead of the Hearts, in second spot.

But two Hinds losses in Dunedin opened the door for the Hearts who meanwhile left little to chance, with a Maddy Green career best century on Saturday followed up by a classic anchoring role from form opener Saachi Shahri and a blazingly quick half century from Izzy Gaze on the Sunday for a bonus point to boot.

Chasing the Magicians' total of 167/3 in a late-starting, rain-reduced 29-over game, Shahri carried her bat for an unbeaten 80* off 85 balls while opening partner Gaze whacked her 54 off just 32 balls, the Hearts getting across the line in just the 23rd over.

While the Hearts are off the the Final, the Canterbury Magicians finish in fifth place for the season.