A valiant innings from Sarah Tsukigawa was not enough to save the Otago Sparks from a loss to Central Districts in a one-day match in Masterton yesterday.
Tsukigawa contributed more than half her side's runs, scoring 83 of the team's 160.
The White Ferns all-rounder combined with Lisa Grant in a 77-run stand for the fifth wicket after her side had slumped to 34 for four.
Central Districts staggered past the target eight wickets down.
No 8 batsman Sarah Norman chipped in a valuable 28 and Abby Burrows held up an end with 12 not out.
Earlier, Burrows helped set up the win, dismissing the in-form Katey Martin and the dangerous Suzie Bates.
The loss has left the Sparks with three wins from eight matches and little hope of reaching the competition final.
Coach Nathan King said his side's poor start was probably the difference between winning and losing.
"It wasn't the best start," he said.
"In saying that, Sarah Tsukigawa and Lisa Grant put on a fantastic partnership that really got us back in the game.
"It would have been great to get another 20 on the board but 160 on the wicket we were on was competitive."
Otago elected to bat but surrendered the initiative quickly.
Burrows' dual strike set Otago back and Rachel Candy was just as demanding down the other end, snapping up opener Kyle Crowley with a return catch.
The crisis deepened when experienced campaigner Megan Kane made a five-ball duck, leaving her side four down and in a deep pickle.
Tsukigawa and Grant dug in and saved their side's blushes.
Grant laboured, her 18 runs coming off 96 deliveries, but she held up an end while Tsukigawa scored with more freedom.
Grant's 90min stay ended when she was bowled by Candy and, with her departure, Otago lifted the tempo, adding 49 runs from the final 10 overs.
Clare Taylor chipped in with 19 not out.
Central's opening pair of Esther Lanser and Rachel Priest shared an opening stand of 31, and Burrows and Norman added 39 for the eighth-wicket in the only partnership of substance.
Emma Campbell was the best of the Sparks bowlers, taking three for 20.
