Yeah, 96 was not much of a score.
And nah, it was never going to be enough against Wellington on a good batting strip at the Basin Reserve on Saturday.
Otago slumped to its fourth loss in five games.
A disappointing batting display resulted in the Sparks posting a miserable total.
The visitors dipped under 100 thanks to the Kerr sisters.
Amelia Kerr took three for 18 with her wrist spin, while seamer Jess Kerr claimed three for 16.
Sophie Devine got the key wicket of Suzie Bates in the opening over and that rather set the tone.
Only Katey Martin was able to offer much in the way of resistance. She scored 32 from 38 to save further blushes.
The chase was relatively straightforward. Opener Rebecca Burns was the only casualty. She was bowled for 27 by Australian import Hannah Darlington.
Rachel Priest top-scored with an unbeaten 50 from 46 deliveries and Maddy Green scored 18 and kept her wicket intact.
Wellington eclipsed the target with more than five overs to spare.
Sparks coach Nathan King summed up the performance succinctly.
"At the end of the day we just didn’t score enough runs," he said.
"I thought we bowled and fielded pretty well but it was never going to be enough runs."
"No-one really got going. Katey [Martin] got 30-odd but we needed one of our senior girls to push on and score a big one.
"We were unable to do that. It was just 10s and 20s and you are never going to score too many like that."
The loss has left Otago’s season precariously poised. The Sparks will need to win at least four of their five remaining games to make the playoffs. Even then that might not be enough.
"If we lose one then there is a chance that we might not get through, whereas if we win them all we’ll probably be OK."
Key all-rounder Hayley Jensen missed the match after she fractured a bone in her hand during a training session.
King is hopeful she will be fit in time for Otago’s next match, which is against Northern Districts in Alexandra on Sunday.
The Sparks play Canterbury the following day at the same venue.
