The 26th Match of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HJS) 2025-26 at Wellington unfolded as a compelling contest between Wellington Blaze and Auckland Hearts, with momentum shifts, disciplined bowling spells, and match-defining partnerships shaping the outcome in this women’s domestic cricket clash. In overcast conditions, Wellington’s top order aimed to build a solid foundation, but Auckland’s bowlers ensured that breakthroughs came at regular intervals, keeping the scoring under control throughout the innings.
Wellington skipper Georgia Plimmer anchored the innings with composure after an early setback. The first wicket fell at 10 in 2.4 overs when Hannah Francis was caught by Lauren Down off Bree Illing for 2. Amelia Kerr attempted to rebuild alongside Plimmer, but at 24 for 2 in 6.1 overs, she was dismissed for 6, caught behind by Isabella Gaze off Illing. Jess Kerr followed soon after, bowled by Illing at 28 for 3 in 6.6 overs, putting Wellington under immediate pressure in this crucial fixture.
Plimmer, however, stood tall amid the collapse. She stitched together a 12-run stand with Rebecca Burns before Burns fell at 36 in 8.4 overs, caught by Maddy Green off Illing. Xara Jetly’s brief stay ended at 55 in 13.1 overs, caught by Gaze off Josie Penfold, and when wicketkeeper Jessica McFadyen departed at the same score (55 for 6 in 13.5 overs), the Blaze were in deep trouble. Through this phase, Auckland’s bowling attack, led by Bree Illing (7-0-24-4) and Josie Penfold (7-2-30-6), dominated proceedings with relentless accuracy and disciplined lines, key factors in this women’s domestic cricket encounter.
The defining partnership of Wellington’s innings came between Plimmer and Isla McKenzie. The pair added a crucial 89 runs for the seventh wicket, lifting the side from 55 to 144. Plimmer’s fighting 65 off 88 balls, including six boundaries, finally ended at 144 in 35.1 overs when she was caught by Amie Hucker off Penfold. In a dramatic sequence, Jessica Simmons and Nicole Baird fell in quick succession at 144 and 144 respectively (35.2 and 35.5 overs), both to Penfold, who completed a sensational six-wicket haul.
Isla McKenzie battled for 8 before becoming the final wicket at 147 in 37.6 overs. Wellington Blaze were eventually bowled out for 147 in 38 overs, with 19 extras contributing to the tally. Alongside Illing and Penfold, Molly Penfold (0/19), Ayaan Lambat (0/20), Bella Armstrong (0/16), Maddy Green (0/19), and Amie Hucker (0/15) supported well to restrict the run rate to 3.86.
Chasing 148, the Hearts began steadily. Prue Catton and Lauren Down added 42 for the opening wicket before Catton was dismissed for 21 at 42 in 10.1 overs, caught by Rachel Bryant off Amelia Kerr. Down then combined with skipper Maddy Green to add 64 runs for the second wicket, guiding the chase calmly. Green’s 36 off 52 ended at 106 in 24.3 overs when she was caught by Plimmer off Jetly.
Lauren Down continued her composed knock, reaching 56 from 86 balls before falling at 144 in 33.1 overs, caught by Jess Kerr off Nicole Baird. By then, the result was virtually sealed. Brooke Halliday (19 not out) and Isabella Gaze (5 not out) completed the formalities, steering Auckland Women to 151 for 3 in 34.4 overs, sealing a seven-wicket victory with 92 balls remaining.
For Wellington, Xara Jetly (10-0-43-1), Amelia Kerr (7-1-24-1), and Nicole Baird (5-0-23-1) claimed wickets, while Jess Kerr (7-2-24-0), Jessica Simmons (2-0-10-0), Hannah Francis (3-0-16-0), and Rachel Bryant (0.4-0-4-0) bowled disciplined spells but lacked penetration at key moments.
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