Northern Districts posted 135 for four at Lincoln yesterday - a total that should have been within Otago's reach.
But the Sparks' key players failed to fire at the top of the order, leaving it to Victoria Abbott and Bella James to almost rescue the side.
Otago came up three runs short. But while the match was close in the end, Lees said his side fell too far behind early on.
‘‘They came out with a very aggressive approach and got away to a reasonable start,'' Lees said.
‘‘But we held them [to 135], which we thought was about right.
‘‘But we just lost wickets all the way through at important times. It was poor, really.
‘‘Our batting options were not good enough. We were pushing singles when in actual fact we needed nine an over and were falling further behind.
‘‘Victoria [Abbott] and Bella James batted pretty well and sort of got us back into it. We got close but we couldn't get there.''
Caitlin Gurrey top-scored with 47 from 42 balls at the top of the Northern order. Brooke Halliday kept the momentum going with an undefeated 28, and Natalie Dodd chipped in with 14 from 13 deliveries.
Otago's Morna Nielsen was frugal as always with the ball, taking one for 19 from four overs, while Leigh Kasperek picked up two for 27.
Suzie Bates made 25 at the top of the order for Otago but Katey Martin (3) and Kasperek (13) both missed out, leaving Abbott to orchestrate a fightback.
Abbott whacked 36 from 21 and James added 15 in a stand of 37 that offered hope but came up short.
