The Sparks beat Wellington by eight wickets in a twenty20 game on Friday. They lifted their net run rate just enough to slip past Auckland and will play Canterbury in the final on Saturday.
But Otago had hoped to make it through to the one-day final as well. It had to win both its matches against Wellington to have a chance and came agonisingly close in the first leg of the double. Sixteen-year-old Amelia Kerr scored her maiden century to help Wellington post 261 for eight. She hit 16 fours and a six in her knock of 119. Leigh Kasperek eventually bowled her and took three for 34 from her block of 10 overs.
Otago’s chase started well with Suzie Bates blasting 55 from 44 balls and Kasperek contributing 49 runs before she was run out.
Victoria Holden hit five fours in a knock of 43. When she was dismissed, Otago needed 20 runs from 16 balls to win but the team could not manage it.
Morna Nielsen faced the last ball and needed three to win. She hit the ball to mid-on and got a single. Caitlin Blakely attempted to steal a second run which would have tied the game but she was run out.
With that loss, Otago slipped out of contention. But there was some small consolation yesterday. The Sparks won the second encounter by 28 runs.Bates (54) and Katey Martin (66) helped Otago get through to 265 for nine.
Kerr starred with the ball, taking four for 56 and made 40 with the bat. Liz Perry (61) and Eimear Richardson (41) added 71 for the fifth wicket.
Jess Kerr thumped an undefeated 50 from 43 deliveries but ran out of support, with Wellington bowled out for 237 with three balls remaining.
Canterbury topped the standings and will host Auckland in the final on Sunday. Otago finished in fourth place with 22 points behind Wellington (26 points), with Northern and Central filling the bottom two places.
