Canterbury and Northern Districts picked up wins in the final round of women's one-day cricket matches today but it did nothing to prevent a Central Districts-Wellington final next week.
In two matches of little consequence today, Canterbury beat Otago by five wickets in a shortened match at Dunedin to climb to a third-placed finish while fifth-placed Northern Districts pipped fourth-placed Auckland by three wickets with a ball to spare in Auckland.
White Fern Nicola Browne was the Northern hero, compiling an unbeaten 111 as her team reached 200 for seven off 49.5 overs in reply to Auckland's 197 for seven. The result was in the balance with her team one run in arrears before Browne struck a four on the penultimate ball.
Otago were consigned to last place despite the fine figures of Clare Taylor, who took four for 14 as Canterbury reached 123 for five off 23.3 overs in reply to the hosts' 122 all out in 24.4. A wet Logan Park saw the match reduced to 25 overs each.
