Otago completed a memorable three days with a narrow win in a twenty/20 match against Northern Districts in Invercargill yesterday.
The Sparks posted 125 for seven and held on to win by eight runs, thanks to some tight bowling.
Leg spinner Emma Campbell took three for 25 from four overs and Natasha Miles claimed two for 19 in a disciplined effort.
Earlier, Katey Martin scored 54 from 48 deliveries and Suzie Bates was the next leading contributor with 21.
Northern Districts conceded 19 extras, which proved costly.
The win was Otago's third against Northern in three days. The Sparks won the opening twenty/20 fixture on Friday by 35 runs and scored a massive 189-run win in a one-day game at the venue on Saturday.
Sarah Tsukigawa scored her second century, whacking an undefeated 117 from 121 deliveries. The innings featured 11 fours and a six. It it was her highest score and helped the Sparks reach an impressive 269 for six from their 50 overs.
Northern District's reply lurched from crisis to calamity with only Natalie Dodd (31) and Nicola Browne (28) and extras (12) posting double figures. The chase ended on 80 runs with 24 overs remaining.
Campbell was the star with the ball, taking five wickets for eight runs in a devastating five-over spell. But the day belonged Tsukigawa and her magnificent century.
Saturday's win lifted Otago to third spot on the one-day competition table and, with one round-robin match left, the team has an outside chance of reaching the January 29 final.
The Sparks (10) trail second-placed Wellington (14) by four points and could overhaul the Blaze if they achieve a bonus-point win against competition leader Canterbury in Christchurch on Saturday and Wellington falls to Central Districts in Palmerston North.
Canterbury is on 19 points and has already secured a spot in the final.
In the twenty/20 tournament, Otago is in fourth place with 16 points and needs to win both its remaining matches against Canterbury and hope for other results to go its way.
