NZC National Women’s Under 19 Tournament
ROUND TWO WRAP – One-Day | 18 December
After rain on day one, the National Women’s Under 19 Tournament got underway in Lincoln with one-day matches across the board.
Auckland cruise to seven wicket win
Auckland’s U19 women’s side have cruised to a seven wicket win over Otago U19 in their one-day match at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln.
Auckland won the toss and elected to bowl first, the decision looking like the right one when Otago were reduced to 11/3 in the third over.
Amie Hucker did the early damage and finished with impressive figures of 3-13, while Gemma Adams picked up 2-17.
Four Auckland bowlers chipped in with a wicket as Otago U19 were bowled out for a meagre 105 runs.
Opener Anna Browning was excellent at the top of the order in Auckland’s chase, narrowly missing out on a half century, but guiding her team most of the way to victory before being dismissed for 46.
Auckland wrapped up the chase in the 22nd over, to complete their first win of the tournament.
Canterbury take out nail-biter
A hat-trick from Missy Banks was one of many highlights for Canterbury U19 women in a close-run finish at Lincoln Green.
Canterbury reached their target with the final pair at the crease to complete a one wicket win over Wellington U19 women and claim second spot on the points table.
Wellington were asked to bat first and posted 152 thanks largely to 45 at the top from Jamie Mason-Jones and Dani Brearton with 40 in the middle order.
In a special moment, Missy Banks took a hat-trick to finish with impressive figures of 4-16 from four overs while Libby Stead and Molly Dunlop both picked up two wickets.
The home side’s chase was held together by Harriet Graham with 63, but some tight Wellington bowling led by Xara Jetly with 3-25 ensured Wellington came back into the contest.
Dunlop then backed up her effort with the ball, contributing a match defining innings of 32* at number nine to get her side over the line nine wickets down.
Northern Districts open account against Central
Northern Districts U19 women have started their tournament on the right foot with a two wicket win over neighbours Central U19 at Lincoln No. 3.
Northern opted to bowl first and a couple of early strikes from Kayley Knight had them with the early ascendancy.
Central’s middle order rallied, Kate Gaging (40*) a stand-out with the top score at an impressive strike rate.
However, Makayla Templeton’s arrival at the bowling crease swung things back in Northern’s favour, her 3-19 off 4.3 overs accounting for the middle and lower order and setting up a chase of 144 for victory.
The Northern batting card started well with openers Annie Ewart and Holly Topp putting on 40 for the first wicket.
Despite losing three wickets to run outs, the Northern batters held their nerve to squeak home by two wickets in the final over, Lucy Boucher (37) top scoring at better than a run-a-ball, her innings including five fours and one six.
