The Hearts pipped the Canterbury Magicians by a single run at the Eden Park Outer Oval.
Chasing 136 for victory, Canterbury got to the final over needing 10 runs, and all eyes were on Amy Satterthwaite.
The White Ferns star, who had batted through the innings, and partner Kirsty Nation managed eight off the first five balls from Huddleston, leaving Satterthwaite on strike, needing two to win or a single to tie.
She swung lustily but the ball went straight up for a simple wicketkeeper’s catch, Satterthwaite dismissed for a classy 71 (59 balls) and the Hearts left celebrating victory.
Earlier, Lauren Down (66 not out off 58 balls) and Huddleston (42 off 40) combined for a 75-run partnership for the fourth wicket as Auckland posted 135 for four.
Lea Tahuhu bowled superbly for Canterbury, taking two for 13 off her four overs.
Auckland and Canterbury are now tied on 12 points, Auckland with a slightly superior net run rate and a game in hand.
Wellington and Otago are tied on 24 points at the top.
In the men’s game yesterday, the Canterbury Kings beat the Auckland Aces by five wickets.
Black Caps white ball star Glenn Phillips powered Auckland to 167 for eight.
Phillips smacked three fours and five sixes in his whirlwind 53 off 27 balls, while Todd Astle, Henry Shipley and Ed Nuttall all took two wickets for Canterbury.
Cam Fletcher powered a successful chase with an unbeaten 57 off 39 balls as Canterbury chased down the target in the 18th over.
The Kings now top the men’s table on 20 points, two clear of Northern.
- Otago suffered a heavy loss to Central Districts on the second day of the rain-affected national under-19 women’s tournament in Christchurch yesterday.
Central racked up 265 for five off its allotted 45 overs then dismissed Otago for just 118 in the 34th over.
Chloe Deerness had an excellent day for Otago, taking two for 27 off nine overs before showing staunch resistance with the bat, scoring 39 off 66 balls.
