Watkin bright light in Hinds' loss - January 2016

WHS student Jess Watkin has been in form for Central Districts Hinds.

Wanganui cricketer Jessica Watkin gave an allrounder's effort for the Central Districts Hinds but it was not enough to prevent a five wicket loss to the Otago Sparks in their 50-over match in Alexandra on Sunday.

Walking onto Molyneux Park with the score at 58/3, with Anndion Lodge Wanganui teammate Michelle Mitchell out for 12, Watkin would top score for her team with 61 from 88 balls, including five boundaries and a six.

Her key partnerships were with opener Melissa Hansen (33) and then wicketkeeper Kelly Rangi (40). Watkin fell to a catch in the 45th over with Central having worked through to 169/6 and ultimately scrabbling 203/8 from their overs.

Otago were led by a superb 125 not out from their captain Suzie Bates, and seemed to have the match well in hand at 156/1 in the 36th over.

However, after the run out of Leigh Kasperek (47), Watkin had three straight dismissals to catches taken off her spinners to reduce Otago to 188/5 after 44 overs.

Bates nonetheless kept her resolve and the winning runs were struck in the 49th over. Watkin finished with 3-42 from her 10 overs.

The Hinds were to meet the Sparks again in Alexandra yesterday.

Former Wanganui player Henry Collier's match with the Central Districts A team against Northern Districts A was rained out on Sunday at Lincoln Oval, while yesterday's game with the same opposition was expected to be a delayed start.

(Wanganui Chronicle 5/1/16)