Women continue hot streak

GOOD COMEBACK: After a horror start, the Whanganui Under 17 team proved up to the challenge in their Central Districts' tournament in Napier this week.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Central led well by Watkin as Otago crumble

THE Jessica Watkin-led Central Districts Under-21 team continued their good form at the national tournament in Auckland with a five wicket win over Otago U-21 on Thursday.

Playing at Lloyd Elsmore Park in a rain delayed match, CD restricted Otago to 195-6 from their 46 overs, with Otago relying on a strong turn by wicketkeeper Polly Inglis - who stroked 93 not out from 101 balls after her team were in trouble at 55-5 in the 21st over.

Bowling her spinners, Watkin took 2-29 with two maidens from her nine overs, while Taranaki's Monique Rees got 2-23 from six.

Watkin was disappointed to fail with the bat, being judged LBW for one after just six balls, but her team went on with it to reach 200-5 in 40 overs.

Opener Melissa Hansen (75) and middle order batter Melanie Megaw (55no) were the principal run getters.

Whanganui cricket development officer Dilan Raj said after some personal scores in the 30s for the Central Districts teams, both Under-21 and the Hinds, Watkin really wanted to progress her game across all facets. "She's maturing every single day ... becoming a better cricketer."

Central Districts will take on Northern Districts in their next match today.

Meanwhile the Watson Wanganui Under-15 just managed to hang on for a draw in their two-day Central Districts game with Manawatu on Thursday afternoon.

Set 230 to win, Whanganui lost wickets with regularity, at one point being 106-7

However, No4 batsman Cameron McIntosh held his nerve and made 64 not out from 124 balls, thwarting the Manawatu bowlers, in particular the dangerous Harry Dean who took 6-65 from 22 overs.

McIntosh managed to just bat through with the tailenders, as Whanganui were on 155-9 when stumps were drawn.

Raj said the young man really stuck in there, showing good hand to eye co-ordination. "Going forward he could be one of the guys to go through for Whanganui."

The draw with a first innings points loss meant the team finished fourth in their Central Districts tournament.

"They're a bit disappointed because they really fancied their chances," said Raj.

The team was apparently hit hard by a stomach bug, with seven of them coming down with the illness.

Raj said he fielded an early morning phone call on Wednesday asking about finding possible replacement players, but as it was too late notice everyone had to gut it out.

It finished a good week for the Whanganui teams as the Under 17s came back from their hammering by Nelson to beat Wairarapa, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay in their CD tournament in Napier.

Whanganui missed the final on run rate, which was rained out after they defeated Hawke's Bay in the playoff for third-fourth.

Raj said batting for the squad was still a concern, however it was noticeable after the Nelson debacle that unlike previous years, the team did not go into their shell and recovered.

Allrounder Connor O'Leary has been chosen for the Central Districts Under 17 team, who will play their national tournament at Lincoln University's Bert Sutcliffe Oval from January 13-21. O'Leary is the first local chosen for this CD team since Brett Cameron was the captain two seasons ago.