A thrilling Women’s Super Smash match took place in Dunedin, where Northern Brave Women secured a well-deserved five-wicket victory, successfully chasing down Otago Sparks challenging total with just three balls to spare. The game was a rollercoaster, filled with momentum shifts, key partnerships, and notable all-round performances.
Batting first on a bright afternoon, Otago Sparks started with a sense of confidence. Felicity Leydon-Davis played a crucial role at the top of the order, keeping the innings steady. However, at 51 runs, they faced their first challenge when Bella James was run out for 18 runs. Leydon-Davis continued to build the innings, scoring 49 runs off 45 balls, including seven boundaries, before being dismissed caught behind off Marama Downes. This dismissal put some pressure on the middle order, but Otago managed to keep the scoring ticking along.
The game shifted when Laura Harris came in and aggressively scored 14 runs off just 5 balls, featuring three boundaries at an amazing 280 strike rate, before getting out at 100 runs. The real turn came when Polly Inglis stepped onto the field; she dominated the bowling attack, scoring 35 runs off just 16 balls, which included two fours and two sixes, pushing Otago towards a strong total. After her dismissal at 143 runs, the momentum wavered slightly, but late contributions from Anna Browning and Poppy Jay Watkins ensured Otago finished with a competitive score of 161/6 in their 20 overs.
Northern Braves’ bowling performance was a true team effort, with Jess Watkin being the standout, claiming 2 wickets for 28 runs. Marama Downes and Nensi Patel also played vital roles, each taking key wickets, while Marina Lamplough put in consistent bowling, taking 1 wicket for just 21 runs from her 3 overs. Although Kayley Knight didn’t take any wickets, she kept things tight during the middle overs. There were some shaky moments, notably an over from Lucy Boucher where she conceded 10 runs, but overall, Northern Brave maintained their focus.
In response, Northern Brave launched their chase in style, led by captain Jess Watkin, who scored a powerful 60 runs off 37 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes. This solid start laid a strong foundation for the chase, with the opening partnership reaching 51 runs before Tash Wakelin was dismissed. Otago Sparks struck again at 70 runs with another quick wicket, but entered Caitlin Gurrey, who took charge of the chase. Gurrey played an impressive innings, scoring 64 runs off 39 balls—hitting eight fours and two towering sixes.
Despite Otago Sparks’ attempts to claw back into the game with quick wickets, including Watkin and Nensi Patel, Gurrey, along with Kayley Knight, steered Northern Brave home, finishing at 162/5 in just 19.3 overs.
Every Otago bowler made a notable contribution, with Poppy Jay Watkins standing out by taking 2 wickets for 14 runs in her 3 overs. Emma Black managed to claim a crucial wicket, though she was a bit expensive. Other bowlers like Browning, Deerness, Leydon-Davis, and Gray also played their parts in keeping the match competitive. However, it was the skilful batting from Gurrey and Watkin that ultimately proved decisive.
With this five-wicket victory, built on calculated aggression and strong partnerships, Northern Brave Women made a significant statement that kept their Women’s Super Smash campaign alive. Otago Women, while showing promise with their batting, will likely reflect on missed opportunities in the field and with the ball.
In summary, Otago Sparks scored 161 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their 20 overs, while Northern Brave Women chased down the target with 162 runs for 5 wickets in just 19.3 overs, sealing a memorable win that showcased their polished batting.
