Watkin's heroics wasted in thriller

The best efforts of Whanganui's Jessica Watkin was not enough to prevent her Central District Hinds suffering a two wicket loss to the Wellington Blaze at Lincoln Green in Canterbury on Thursday.

It followed on from Wednesday where the Blaze won another thriller by one wicket.

On Thursday, after the rest of the top order, including Whanganui team mates Michelle Mitchell and Lisa Grant, fell quickly to leave the Hinds 35-3, Watkin put on the top score of 77 from 72 balls, including two sixes and nine boundaries.

That knock and an undefeated 75 from wicketkeeper Kelly Rangi helped the Hinds through to 224-7 from their 39 overs in the rain effected match.

In reply, the Blaze just scraped through to 229-8, hitting the winning runs off the last ball.

Watkin took 3-45 from her eight overs, with the other wickets spread around four more bowlers.

On Wednesday, it was Mitchell who was the Hinds anchor when Grant and Watkin had gone early, with Mitchell scoring 83 from 124 balls including a six and 11 boundaries.

Mitchell had the key partnership with Anlo van Deventer, who scored 80, to guide the Hinds to 246-5 after 50 overs.

But again, the Blaze ran then down, reaching 247-9 at the end of the 49th over.

Watkin took 3-47 from her ten overs, as well as taking a catch and getting a quick thrown into Rangi for a run out, but Wellington's final pair were able to put on 22 runs to win the game.

The Hinds will next play the Canterbury Magicians in a Twenty20 game at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday.

By Jared Smith
Wanganui Chronicle 31/12/16