CRICKET: Hinds come back close loss to win easily

One got away but Central Districts Hinds coach Doug Bracewell is satisfied with the spoils on their campaign opener in Whangarei at the weekend.
With points from a rain-reduced 18-over twenty/20 match and one win out of two 50-over matches, Bracewell told SportToday: ``All our targets were set and achieved.''
While it rained on Friday at Cobham Oval and the New Zealand Cricket website went on the blink, the Hinds beat the Northern Spirit by 38 runs after some lusty hits from White Ferns skipper Aimee Watkins (nee Mason) who scored 76 off 48 balls, including 11 boundaries for a total of 130-5.
``It was a great knock from Aimee and we won that quite comfortably,'' said Bracewell after ND managed only 92-7 in their reduced 18 overs after Watkins' allround effort of three wickets.
On Saturday the Spirit edged out CD by 16 runs after an unbeaten half century from White Fern Nicola Browne as ND amassed 169-9 in 50 overs.
In reply, CD never really recovered after losing wickets early, openers Esther Lanser and Rachel Priest scoring only one run between them to leave Central two down with only two runs on the board.
Four-wicket bowler Kate Broadmore's 51 boosted the score, but once she was removed, leg-before-wicket to Browne, the Hinds were struggling on 136-7 and were all out by the 48th over for 153.
But yesterday it was the Watkins and Abby Burrows show as the Hawke's Bay international claimed a career-best five-wicket bag for CD's 48-run victory.
The Hinds put on 285 with openers Lanser (64) and Michele Frey (56) setting a solid platform with a 131-run partnership.
Watkins then ripped through the ND attack, peppering shots to all parts of the out field, her 71 runs coming off 47 balls and included 10 boundaries and a six.
``Rachel Priest had some magnificent hits too,'' said Bracewell of the former Bay and curent White Fern wicketkeeper who scored a brisk unbeaten 34 off 17 to guarantee the large total.
When Napier Old Boys' Marist player Burrows bowled Browne, the writing was on the wall for ND.