Date-stamped : 03 Jan94 - 22:31
NZ Women's cricket - semi-finals, 03 Jan 1994
The finalists were found  in  the  New  Zealand  Woman`s  cricket
tournement  at  Wellington  today.  The  most  exciting match was
between Wellington and Auckland.
Auckland batted first,  reaching  158-8.  Their  star  was  Emily
Drumm, who made 92 not out.
Wellington seemed to be cruising at 73-2, but a near  fatal  col-
lapse  meant  that  39  runs were needed from the final 10 overs,
with just three wickets  in  hand.  Skipper  Nancy Williams   and
international Julie Harris, a woman renowned for her big hitting,
were still at the crease however at the start of the final  over,
with eight runs needed to win.
Everything then went wrong for Wellington. Williams was bowled by
the  first ball, and the last ball arrived with Wellington facing
perhaps the most difficult task in cricket: They had to hit a six
under pressure to win the match.
Fortunately Harris, one of the hardest  hitters  in  New  Zealand
womans`  cricket,  was  facing, and the ball soared over long on.
The umpire signalled six, and Wellington were in the final.

The other semi final was much more  one  sided,  with  Canterbury
making  277-8  and  North  Harbour  scoring  only 122-8 in reply.
Canterbury have dominated the New Zealand scene for years, having
won  the  title  14  of the last 15 years (Wellington won about 3
years ago).

In the wooden spoon match, Emerging  Players  beat  Central  Dis-
tricts by 6 wickets, easily overhauling CD`s 146 all out..

<END> Contributed by jason  (jmas@waikato.ac.nz)