ROUND SEVEN
The Canterbury Magicians made it two wins in two games and, more significantly still, handed the Auckland Hearts just their second loss in this summer’s NZC Women’s Twenty20 as the showcase opening match of Friday’s doubleheader got underway on Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
Stopping the Hearts’ strong top order in their tracks was integral after the Mags were asked to field, and that’s exactly what happened as both Lauren Down and Anna Peterson were sent to the pavilion early, Lea Tahuhu with a hand in both wickets.
Sara McGlashan was one of several Hearts to get starts
The Hearts middle order all got starts as they tried to quickly start again, but no one was permitted to press on as the Magicians collectively held them to 127 for nine in the 20 overs.
The Hearts quickly got their spirits up in reply when Holly Huddleston got the star wicket of Amy Satterthwaite for just one run in her first over, fellow WHITE FERN Katie Perkins with the big catch.
But Canterbury recovered thanks to a solid second wicket stand of 90 between captain Frankie Mackay (39 off 47) and Erin Bermingham (43 off 39, just one shy of her career best 44), the pair leaving their teammates in good stead to close out a five-wicket win with two balls to spare.
Despite the loss, the Hearts sneaked back to the top of the table, overtaking Wellington Blaze on net run rate.
