Breakers lead women's finals series 1-0

New South Wales 3 for 200 (Cunneen 56, Keightley 49, Goszko 43*) beat Victoria 179 (Edwards 64, Hayes 4-31) by 21 runs
Scorecard

New South Wales Breakers can wrap up their eighth Women's National Cricket League trophy in nine seasons tomorrow, after beating Victoria Spirit by 21 runs in the opening match at Bankstown Oval in Sydney.

Julia Hayes, the captain, led her side to victory with 4 for 31 from 10 overs, while Kate Blackwell was involved in two run-outs as the Victoria chase regularly stumbled. The Spirit began badly when Belinda Clark and Mel Jones were gone by 23, and the target proved too difficult despite Sarah Edwards's half-century.

New South Wales began brilliantly with Lisa Keightley (49) and Shannon Cunneen, who made 56 from 82 balls, putting on 103 for the first wicket after being sent in to bat. The decision further backfired for Victoria when late hitting from Michelle Goszko and Martha Winch steered them to 200.

The best-of-three series continues at Bankstown Oval tomorrow, with a third match slated for Sunday if required.