Spirit's attack quelled

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The Canterbury Magicians started the defence of their national women's Twenty20 title with a bowler-inspired 19-run win against Northern Spirit in Whangarei yesterday.

Canterbury's bowlers tied down the home team's batters with the Magicians defending 106 for seven having been sent in at Cobham Oval.

The Magicians' run scoring was led by opener Frankie Mackay who made a quickfire 25 from 22 balls with five fours, but the side slipped to 51 for four in the 12th over until the middle order of Erin Bermingham, Meg Kendal and Rachel Candy got the innings moving again, Kendal clipping a run a ball 22.

Canterbury had to contend with some tidy bowling from White Ferns Nic Browne and Morna Nielsen, the latter conceding just seven runs from her four overs.

However, the Magicians bowlers repaid the compliment and dismissed the dangerous Browne for 18. Pace bowler Lea Tahuhu struck with two early wickets then Hayley Jensen also grabbed a brace at minimal cost before Mackay capped a useful double, also with two victims. Bermingham's leg spinners were also effective.

Elsewhere, Sophie Devine slammed an unbeaten 712 from just 45 balls with 10 fours and three sixes as the Wellington Blaze overpowered Central Districts in Wellington.

Otago's Katey Martin crunched an unbeaten 59 from 48 balls with nine fours to steer her side to a nine-wicket Duckworth-Lewis rain-adjusted victory against Auckland in Invercargill.

SCORES

At Whangarei – Canterbury 106-7 (F Mackay 25, M Kendal 22; B Kirkbride 2-17, F Leydon-Davis 2-21) beat Northern 87-8 (N Dodd 26no, H Jensen 2-8, L Tahuhu 2-12, Mackay 2-20). At Invercargill – Auckland 111-8 (V Lind 32; S Bates 2-15, S Tsukigawa 2-15, V Abbott 2-26) lost to Otago (needing 86 in 14 overs) 88-1 in 12.2 overs (K Martin 59no). At Wellington – Central 104-5 (R Priest 34, K Broadmore 30; T Newton 2-27) lost to Wellington 107-3 in 15 overs (S Devine 71no).

- © Fairfax NZ News