The Auckland Hearts opened their three days at Lincoln with a tough T20 encounter, losing to the Central Hinds by 13 runs.
The Hinds got away from the Hearts early in the match, batting well to set a fair total of 156.
That was despite the Hinds having lost wickets early, the batting order able to keep things ticking over.
Skipper Kate Broadmore led the way with an unbeaten 73, but WHITE FERNS allrounder Anna Peterson’s arrival at the bowling crease did offer brief hope for the Hearts.
Peterson picked up an early wicket, and followed it up quickly after with another, trapping Wanganui's Jessica Watkin on a T20 career best of 40, including two sixes. But she couldn’t inspire further breakthroughs and, after WHITE FERN Hannah Rowe had come in an slapped a quick six, had to be content with 2-33.
The Hearts' top order couldn’t get going in reply and, in the end, it meant the middle and lower order simply had too much to do, with not enough overs to do it in.
Opening batsman Anna Peterson loses her middle pole to seamer Michelle Bunkall
There was gallant lower order hitting from Holly Huddleston, Sam Curtis and Arlene Kelly, but it couldn’t get the Hearts across the line.
