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It was a match that lived up to the soaring temperatures at the weekend as Napier Tech batsman Erin Weber faced Napier Old Boys' Marist bowler Jill Suckling in an OK Corral-type showdown for victory in the women's Super 8s cricket match in Napier.
Weber needed six (which yields eight runs in the eight-a-side clash) to clinch the bragging rights for Thirsty Whale Tech on Saturday at Nelson Park, Napier, while Sideline Bar NOBM death bowler Suckling simply had to avoid a lollipop delivery.
The odds favoured the pace bowler who deceived Weber with a slower ball for a single to point to lift NOBM to a seven-run victory. Tech needed 13 runs in the last over but could only manage six after NOBM racked up 97-2 in the first innings with Nikki Tunnicliffe (38no) and Lisa Hayes (29) top scoring. Tech replied with 99-4 with Kelly Tunnicliffe (32), skipper Sarah Duffill (29no) and Alice Delaney (16no) the pick of the batsmen.
But NOBM's Cath Atkins (49no) and Nikki Tunnicliffe upped the tempo in the second innings with a total of 135-2. Tech's run chase was on target at 9.5 runs an over but CD Hinds batsman Duffill's retirement after 50 runs (Super 8s rules) left Kelly Tunnicliffe unbeaten on 42 and Weber 14 not out.
Duffill's cousin, Kristen, made a promising debut as NOBM wicketkeeper, conceding eight byes and executing a superb two-handed diving catch.
Losing can easily become a habit as Harveys Cornwall came close to discovering at Cornwall Park. After losing their first match this season to NOBM before Christmas, Cornwall had that sinking feeling again on Saturday as Mersons Roofing and Spouting Taradale reminded the hosts it ain't over till it's over.
Michelle Robinson's Taradale gave the defending champions a fright before going down by five wickets at the resurrected Cornwall Park pitch No.3 that has fallen out of favour with the premier men's sides this season.
Cornwall captain Pennyrose Wiggins took the responsibility on her young shoulders to steady her side in the second innings with an unbeaten 18 to lead them to victory.
The Havelock North High School student, who has juggled her swing bowling with the demands of marshalling the troops for most of the season as one of the vice-captains, spearheaded the bowling attack with three wickets for 21 runs in the first innings after Robinson won the toss and top scored with 41 runs to open Taradale's ledger at 81-6 off their allotted 14 overs.
However, Cornwall amassed 102-2 in their 14 overs with openers Andrea Singh (24 runs), Kay Holloway (14) and No.3 batsman Rachel Terry (18no) doing the damage.
Taradale youngster Jamie Smith took the only wicket.
Smith (17no), and Kylie Olsthoorn (14) then assisted Robinson (18) for a second-innings total of 72-7 in 14 overs with part-time bowler Holloway ripping the heart out of the middle-order batsman after Wiggins snared the crucial wicket of Robinson. Nevertheless, complacency almost caught Cornwall on the hop as Smith and Robinson snared Holloway (run-out for a duck) and Singh (holing out to square leg in breaking the cardinal rule of playing across the line) cheaply as Cornwall chased 52 for victory.
Kristina George Fredric (8no) showed survival skills with Wiggins to save coach Bob Morgan further blushes.
Despite Cornwall missing experienced players like CD Hinds Zara McWilliams, Kelly Sutherland (going to Auckland) and Megan Graham, the predominantly young Taradale side should take a bow for their gallantry.
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