Rebecca Steele held her form as State Canterbury Magicians assured themselves of a return to the State League final with an eight-wicket defeat of State Auckland Hearts at Melville Park.
Steele’s economic bowling – only five runs conceded from a 10-overs spell – was a new competition record and followed her six wickets for eight runs the previous day.
The White Fern only took one wicket, but the Magicians’ attack maintained the pressure on the Hearts.
The home side’s 128 for nine from their 50 overs was bolstered by an unbroken last-wicket stand of 15 from Debbie Ramsay and Prashilla Mistry, but always a low target.
Canterbury’s openers spent little time chasing their target, with Maria Fahey racing to 50 off 55 balls before being dismissed with the score at 82.
Mandie Godliman saw the team through to victory off the first ball of the 32nd over, finishing with 46 out of the team's 131/2.
The win and bonus point puts Canterbury in the State League final, as they are 12 points clear of the third-place Hearts with only two games to play – and a maximum of 10 points available.
Auckland host Northern Spirit next week and must win and hope the Central-Wellington results go their way to reach the final.
