Whanganui cricketer Jessica Watkin gave an allrounder's effort for the Central Districts Hinds but it was not enough to prevent a five wicket loss to the Otago Sparks in their 50-over match in Alexandra on Sunday.
Walking onto Molyneux Park with the score at 58/3, with Anndion Lodge Wanganui teammate Michelle Mitchell out for 12, Watkin would top score for her team with 61 from 88 balls, including five boundaries and a six.
Her key partnerships were with opener Melissa Hansen (33) and then wicketkeeper Kelly Rangi (40). Watkin fell to a catch in the 45th over with Central having worked through to 169/6 and ultimately scrabbling 203/8 from their overs.
Otago were led by a superb 125 not out from their captain Suzie Bates, and seemed to have the match well in hand at 156/1 in the 36th over.
However, after the run out of Leigh Kasperek (47), Watkin had three straight dismissals to catches taken off her spinners to reduce Otago to 188/5 after 44 overs.
Bates nonetheless kept her resolve and the winning runs were struck in the 49th over. Watkin finished with 3-42 from her 10 overs.
The Hinds were to meet the Sparks again in Alexandra yesterday.
Former Whanganui player Henry Collier's match with the Central Districts A team against Northern Districts A was rained out on Sunday at Lincoln Oval, while yesterday's game with the same opposition was expected to be a delayed start.