Fighting maiden half centuries to both GEORGIA ATKINSON and HANNAH ROWE provided the highlight in the CENTRAL HINDS' latest Hallyburton Johnstone Shield encounter.

Unbeaten heading into the fourth round, a dramatic batting collapse had the Hinds on the back foot for the first time this season but a pair of maiden List A fifties and a seventh wicket all-time Hinds partnership record of 111 gave the team something to smile about at the end of the day.

Coming in with the score at 54/4, vice-captain Rowe lost another three partners in quick succession before Atkinson joined her for the record century stand.

The pair took the side from 64/6 to 175/7, ensuring a chance of defending a total against Wellington Blaze.

The Hinds ultimately reached 187 all out and fell just one ball short of batting out their overs, despite the collapse.

Batting at eight, Atkinson's good form came off the back of a strong all-round performance for the Palmerston North Tui on the opening weekend of CD's Central Super League, immediately showing the value of the new franchise-based competition.

The 20-year-old spinner's maiden half century arrived in her 29th appearance for the Hinds and more than doubled a previous career best of 23 in her maiden season four summers ago.

For WHITE FERNS allrounder Rowe (above), notching the maiden half ton was a special moment after having collected a number of one-day scores in the forties over the years.

Her best at either Hallyburton Johnstone Shield or WHITE FERNS level had been 47 and it was her first half ton in either format, going on to her new best of 68 off 101 balls.

Atkinson's 58 meanwhile flowed off 72 balls and included seven boundaries as the pair gutsed it out for 22 important overs.

Chasing 188 for the win, Blaze went on to claim their first win of the season - but not before the Hinds fought back with the ball as well and got them eight wickets down at the death.

Atkinson capped her day with a couple of wickets, with MIKAELA GREIG (2-30) and JESS WATKIN (an outstanding 2-23 off 10, including three maidens) also claiming a brace as the team, pushed hard to try to get a win for MELISSA HANSEN's 50th List A game.

SCORES

With the Canterbury Magicians meanwhile having won their fourth-round match, the tight two-wicket loss in Levin saw the Hinds drop down to second spot on the table, but they are well placed to reclaim the lead next weekend at Dunedin's University of Otago Oval where they will play the winless Otago Sparks back to back.

 

Article added: Friday 11 December 2020