ROUND TWO
Central Hinds v Wellington Blaze at Donnelly Park, Levin on 26 November 2017
Milestones
• Hannah Rowe made her captaincy debut for the Central Hinds
The tough work continued for young, rebuilding home team the Central Hinds as vice-captain Hannah Rowe stepped into the leadership role in the enforced absence of Anlo van Deventer.
Harsh lessons for the Hinds. MButcher/NZC
The Hinds once again claimed the toss, but Wellington Blaze just barged on as normal — WHITE FERNS master blaster Rachel Priest slamming a quick half century against her old team from just 35 balls (9x4) to get the capital side off to a power start.
With follow-up contributions from Fran Wilson (41) and captain Liz Perry (an unbeaten 32), Blaze was well on its way to another competitive total of 219, despite spinner Jess Watkin picking up a good 3-30 for the Hinds amid the eight bowlers utilised by Rowe.
The reply started badly for the young hosts, the top three all back in the sheds inside five overs and with two runouts in that mix, however, Rowe (43) and Kerry Tomlinson (42) used their experience to steady the ship and build from 27/4 to 111/5, the dreaded Nelson’s eventually claiming Tomlinson after an encouraging 84-run stand had given the home crowd hope at last.
Allrounder Eimear Richardson made key breakthroughs. MButcher/NZC
Irish international and longtime Blaze mainstay Eimear Richardson would stop them both on the way to picking up 3-21 as she put her unbeaten city-slickers back on course for an 80-run win, with almost seven overs in hand.
