The Otago Sparks finished their twenty/20 campaign on a high note with an 11-run win over Canterbury in a rain-affected match at the University Oval yesterday.
Sarah Tsukigawa top-scored with 23 off 18 to help the Sparks reach 81 for seven off the 14 overs available.
Erin Bermingham and Amy Satterthwaite picked up two wickets apiece for Canterbury and top-order batsmen Michelle Mitchell and Amber Boyce appeared to have the visiting side on track at 41 for one.
But newly promoted White Fern leg-spinner Emma Campbell struck, removing Mitchell with a simple caught and bowled opportunity, and Boyce holed out to hand Otago back the initiative.
Veteran medium-pacer Clare Taylor took two wickets with consecutive deliveries but the hat trick was avoided with Lea-Marie Tahuhu pushing the delivery into the covers.
Canterbury got too far behind the required run-rate and was left needing an improbable 21 off the last over.
Its chase ended at 70 for six.
The sides meet in back-to-back one-dayers at the University Oval No 2 ground today and tomorrow.
