The Auckland Hearts have maintained their winning record in the women’s One-Day domestic competition, beating the Northern Spirit by 14 runs at Melville Park, Auckland.
A good all-round performance with the bat got the Hearts to 222 for five from 50 overs. In reply Natalie Dodd brought up yet another century, but her side fell just short at 208 for four.
Dodd, who was already scored two centuries this season, was once again almost impossible to bowl to. Her defence remained solid throughout the innings as she went on to make 108 not out off 145 balls.
At the other end she found support from Kerry-Anne Tomlinson (40), Nicola Browne (21) and Naomi Stalenberg (21).
While wickets were scarce, runs were still hard to come by and the required rate slowly but surely crept up. In the end it became too big a task and the Spirit were found short.
Paula Gruber was the most economical of the bowlers, with her ten overs going for just 27 runs.
Earlier the Aces had a number of players contribute to see them well past 200.
Sarah Curtis and Victoria Lind put on 57 for the opening wicket, before Lind fell for 28. Curtis though continued to score at will and formed a valuable partnership with Katie Perkins.
The pair put on a stand worth 92 for the third wicket, with both brining up half centuries. Their efforts saw the Hearts on their way to a healthy lead, with Perkins adding 52 overall and Curtis making 69.
It turned into what would be a defendable total and keeps the Hearts on top of the points table.
