The Otago Sparks followed a bright start to the Super Smash with back-to-back losses in Lincoln over the weekend.
The Sparks have slipped from pole position to fourth place but are still well-placed in a congested table.
Canterbury, Auckland and Wellington lead with 14 points from Otago (10 points), Northern Districts (6 points) and Central Districts (2 points).
Otago produced a poor batting display against Wellington yesterday.
It was almost immediately under pressure. Opening bowler Deanna Doughty took three wickets in four balls and they were all key wickets, as well.
She bowled Suzie Bates with the first ball of her second over. Katey Martin top-edged a sweep shot the very next ball. Then Leigh Kasperek was lured into a sweep shot as well and was trapped lbw.
Polly Inglis (45) and Lisa Griffith (40) added 91 for the fifth wicket to help rebuild the innings.
But White Ferns leg spinner Amelia Kerr took a hat trick in the penultimate over. Griffith and Inglis were victims one and two and Ella Brown was bowled for a golden duck.
The Sparks had clawed their way to 113 for seven but Wellington was always in control of the chase.
Kerr (46 not out) and Rachel Priest (31 not out) put on an undefeated 77 for the third wicket to clinch the win in the 18th over.
The Sparks were well beaten by Canterbury on Saturday. They batted first and managed a modest total of 103 for nine. Griffith top-scored with 29.
Frankie Mackay blasted an undefeated 47 to help seal a seven-wicket win for Canterbury.
Sparks coach Nathan King said it had been a mixed start.
"We did really well on the first day and I was really happy with the performances,'' he said.
"But we knew Wellington and Canterbury would pose more threats to us, which they certainly did.''
Kasperek and Australian import Griffith stood out with their performances on Friday, when the Sparks beat Central Districts and Northern Districts.
"They were outstanding for us ... Kasperek really gave us a strike rate and backed that up with the ball.
"Lisa Griffith and Kate Heffernan did a great job for us with the ball. Griffith took early wickets and created scoreboard pressure.''
Griffith was available only for the first round of matches and will return to Australia. Her spot will be taken by Yorkshire all-rounder Alice Davidson-Richards.
The Sparks next assignment is a one day match against Wellington at the Basin Reserve, on November 17.
The Super Smash will resume in late December.
