An all-round display from Watkin helps Central Hinds win over Auckland Hearts by 22 runs at Pukekura Park on Saturday.
Hinds who were playing the second match in two consecutive days won the toss and opted to bat.
Hinds, unlike their previous match, were off to a flyer as the skipper Watkin was on fire from the ball number 1. It was an aggressive approach from the Hinds skipper. She scored a brilliant Half-century including 56 runs in just 31 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes. She got good support from the fellow opener Cunningham who played a responsible inning of 45. With their dismissal, in the end, a cameo from Dodd helped Hinds to reach a total of 161 with the loss of 2 wickets in 20 overs.
Chasing the target of 162, the opener Lauren Down was Retired out on 8. Then came Perkins to the crease. She along with Anna Peterson were aggressive from ball number 1. Auckland were cruising at 50 for 0 in 6 overs. After the end of the powerplay came a twist as Hearts lost 2 wickets in 2 balls that of Peterson and Shahri who dismissed for a golden duck. It was again the skipper Watkins on the cards but this time with the ball. Once they got out it became too tough for Hearts. Though Perkins tried her best and scored a half-century including 53 runs. End of the day her innings went in vain as Hearts ended up the innings at 139 for 6 in their full quota of 20 overs.
On the whole, Hearts were short by 22 runs. Credits to the Hinds bowlers though leaking many runs in the powerplay. They recovered well by restricting Hearts from chasing the target.
Brief Scores: HINDS 161 for 3 in 20 overs ( Watkins 56 & Peterson 1 for 22) defeated HEARTS 139 for 6 in 20 overs ( Perkins 53* & Watkin 2 for 17) by 22 runs