Auckland continue to dominate U21 tournament

Auckland completed comfortable Twenty20 victories over Central Districts and Canterbury to take an unassailable four point lead into tomorrow’s final round of the national under 21 women’s tournament.

With 21 points from four 50-over and two Twenty20 matches the Auckland women have a four point advantage over Wellington who dropped points against Northern Districts but convincingly beat Otago earlier today.

Northern Districts v Central Districts

Northern Districts have beaten Central Districts at the Women’s U-21 Tournament thanks to some individual brilliance from Katie Johnson.

Johnson made an unbeaten century in a sublime innings to lift Northern to a 30 run win.

Having won the toss, Northern decided to bat with Johnson smashing the ball around all areas of the ground to bring up a brilliant century in just 71 balls.

Felicity Leydon-Davis was at the bowlers end for most of the performance, but also chipped in with 27 runs of her own to get Northern to 145 for two after 20 overs.

No bowler was spared from Central, with only Maneka Singh managing to get a wicket to her name.

In reply Central put up a good fight as Hester Nesbitt once again made runs, hitting 30 from 35 deliveries while Sarah Cowan top scored for her side with 33.

However no one else made a meaningful contribution and Central began to lose their way. Wickets continued to tumble and at the end of the innings Central were still trailing by 30 runs at 115 for six.

Northern bowled well, but the game will be remembered for Johnson’s spectacular ton.

Result: NORTHERN WOMEN U-21s won by 30 runs
Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1259/scorecard.aspx

Wellington v Otago

Otago have crumbled under some brilliant bowling from Wellington to hand them the easiest of wins in the Women’s U-21 competition.

Wellington were set 47 to win, chasing down the target with ten wickets and 7.5 overs to spare.

Having won the toss and opting to bat, Otago got off to the worst possible start losing Caitlin Blakely and Sarah Osborne early.

The collapse didn’t end their though. Sarah Cowan and Kylie Crowley scraped together 25 runs between them before the middle and lower order capitulated in extreme fashion.

After just 12.1 overs, Otago were all out for 46.

The highlight of the innings was the bowling of Gemma Krebs who delivered three overs for five runs and snared five wickets.

Wellington made short work of the run chase with openers Andrea Stockwell (19) and Maddy Chapman (24) knocking off the total with ease.

Result: WELLINGTON WOMEN U-21s won by 10 wickets
Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1261/scorecard.aspx 

Auckland v Canterbury

Auckland have beaten Canterbury in a top of the table clash at the Women’s U-21 competition in Lincoln.

The bowlers set up the victory for the defending champions limiting the Canterbury to just 88 in their 20 overs. The chase proving no problem with Auckland easing to an eight wicket win.

Canterbury decided to set Auckland a total after winning the toss but lost the usually consistent Emma Hartland early. Hayley Aburn (14) and Hayley Jensen (23) helped their team to recover but when both batsmen were dismissed it quickly went wrong for Canterbury.

Credit must go to the Auckland bowlers, who kept the pressure up throughout the innings. Pick of the bowlers was Khusboo Patel who picked up figures of three for 12 from three overs.

With the way that the Auckland batting line-up had been firing so far in the competition there was little doubt they would make the required runs.

Sarah Elliot (29) and Arlene Kelly (14) got their side off to a great start at 34 without loss, When they were dismissed Auckland lost very little of its momentum, Maddie Green (18) and Lauren Down (20) showing their worth once again and leading Auckland to victory.

Auckland ended the one-sided contest by eight wickets with more than eight overs to spare.

Result: AUCKLAND WOMEN U-21s won by 8 wickets
Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1260/scorecard.aspx

Visit the tournament page for match reports from earlier in the day: http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/schedule/national-womens-u21-2011-12/119/series.aspx
Points table:
Auckland 21
Wellington 17
Northern Districts 16
Canterbury 12
Central Districts 9
Otago 0