Auckland girls dominate CD

CLOSE EYE: CD batsman Ocean Bartlett keeps a wary eye on Auckland wicketkeeper Gemma Adams as yesterday's top of the table U15 girls match unfolds Auckland's way.

Auckland signalled their intentions to defending Cricket Express National U15 girls champions Central Districts with a comprehensive victory in a top of the table clash yesterday morning.

Auckland took the lead of the competition at the end of the morning session in Whanganui yesterday, but CD bounced back with a win over the NZ Invitational X1 in the afternoon to secure a finals berth today.

In a match against the previously unbeaten Central Districts in the morning session, Auckland dominated in the first innings not allowing the defending champions any chance to score runs.

CD were all out for a paltry 59 after 24.5 of the 30 available overs, setting the Auckland girls an easy target.

CD coach, former Wanganui senior women's captain Esther Lanser, praised Auckland's performance.

"They were just too strong bowling and fielding very well," Lanser said.

"While we are the defending champions, there are just three players left from last year, so the CD team is very young."

Auckland made 61/5 after 21.2 overs with tournament MVP leader Aimee Hucker coming on just in time to smack a four from her first ball to end the agony for CD.

Hucker was also in-form with ball in hand taking three CD scalps for just 13 runs in 5.5 overs.

Auckland had beaten the NZ Invitational select side convincingly on Tuesday afternoon with Hucker making her move with an unbeaten 50 with the bat.

But in the CD-NZ Invitational game yesterday afternoon the select girls side scored a handy 110/7 after their 30 overs and were looking pretty, until CD unleashed a frontal attack from the get go.

Opener Georgia Wells scored a respectable 29, but it was CD MVP contender Cate Pedersen who got the team home with a 51 retired and a spot in the final. CD ended with 112/1 off 19.3 overs.

Yesterday morning, Otago set NZ Invitational a target of 115 off 30 overs. The select girls made 118/3 in just 14.3 overs with Canterbury's Abby Gerken finishing 32 not out.

In the only other match-up yesterday morning, Wellington beat Northern Districts with seven balls to spare. ND scored 125/3 off the 30 overs and appeared in reasonable shape until Wellington posted 128/6 from 28.5 overs.

Lucy Boucher top scored for ND with 35 off 57 balls, while Jeneesha Maisura (26) and Dani Brearton (25) were best for Wellington.

The outcome of yesterday's matches ultimately determine today's finals line-ups, but at press time only the CD result as available.