Districts' mixed showing

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Central Districts' Under-21 team captained by Jessica Watkin picked up one win from their two Twenty20 games in Auckland on Sunday.

The real test for the team was yesterday as they led the week-long limited overs competition ahead of Wellington, meaning if they defeated Canterbury they would win the National Under-21 Women's title.

In Sunday morning's T20 match, a lacklustre batting display saw them lose to Wellington by eight wickets.

Watkin, with a duck, and the rest of the top order did not fire as the team slumped to 38/5 in the eighth over.

However, a level-headed partnership by Taranaki's Monique Rees (24 not out) and Hawke's Bay's Sophie Pyott (15) at least gave the team something to defend at 98-9 from their 20 overs.

However, Wellington captain Rebecca Burns carried her bat through with an unbeaten 53 as her team reached 100/2 after 11 overs.

The Central batters were much more switched on in the afternoon against Otago, racking up 149/7 to set up a 20-run win.

Watkin was promoted to opener and made 12 from 17 balls before being judged lbw.

This time, Central had a key top order partnership as Manawatu's Mikaela Greig made an excellent 64 from 37 balls, supported by Taranaki's Melanie MeGaw (31 from 22).

Watkin then had an excellent four over spell with her spinners, getting two key top order wickets for miserly figures of 2-13 as Otago were restricted to 129/7.

Greig gave good support with 2-34 from her four overs to complete a fine match.