Otago and White Ferns all-rounder Sarah Tsukigawa led the Sparks to a six-wicket win against Northern Districts in a one-day match in Whangarei yesterday.
Tsukigawa bowled a tidy 10-over spell, taking two for 34, and top-scored with an undefeated innings of 67 as her side easily overhauled Northern's total of 178.
The classy right-hander stroked seven fours in a well-paced innings.
The victory helped sweeten Saturday's disappointment.
Tsukigawa had scored 73 to help the Sparks compile a competitive 222 for nine but Northern Districts did not get the opportunity to reply, after poor weather forced the abandonment of the match.
Yesterday, Northern Districts opener Anna Wilkins anchored her side's innings with a fine knock of 71.
But while she stuck her head down and applied herself, too many of her batting partners did not do the same.
Wilkins shared in a promising opening stand of 46 with Natalie Dodd.
But when Dodd was trapped in front by Amanda Green for 27, Wilkins was left batting with a procession of partners as they came and went quickly.
Natalie Edwards whacked a quick 18 and Morna Nielsen scored 12 but the rest of the line-up contributed very little.
Sparks skipper Katey Martin continued her impressive form with 33 at the top of the innings.
She combined in a 59-run stand for the opening wicket with Kylie Crowley, who added 20.
Having made a solid start the visitors stumbled, losing both Martin and Crowley within an over.
Tsukigawa and Megan Kane steadied the ship adding 57 for the third-wicket and Clare Taylor chipped in with an undefeated innings of 18.
On Saturday, the Sparks looked well-placed after Martin scored her fifth consecutive half century and Tsukigawa whacked 73.
Megan Kane (21), Lisa Grant (22) and Clare Taylor (19) all added valuable runs.
But with Otago in a useful position, the weather intervened during the lunch break and the game was abandoned.
Nicola Browne was the best of the Northern Districts bowlers, with three for 44 from 10 overs and Emily Wilson bowled a tidy spell, taking two for 18 from seven overs.
Blair Soper hit a four off the last ball to help seal fifth place for Otago Boys High School at the Gillette Cup in Palmerston North yesterday.
OBHS needed nine off the last over to defeat Whangarei Boys High School in a tense play-off match.
Soper smashed the last delivery over long on and beat the desperate dive of a fielder to clinch a dramatic win.
The left-arm quick was named OBHS' most valuable player at the tournament.
