Auckland take NZ women's title

Auckland have ended Canterbury's dominance of New Zealand provincial women's cricket today with a six-wicket win in the final of the State Insurance Cup at Eden Park. Canterbury, who had previously won 20 out of 21 titles, lost today's game after being 154 without loss during their 37th over.

Veteran Canterbury captain Debbie Hockley, who earlier this week announced her decision to step down as captain of the New Zealand side, won the toss and elected to bat first. After a slow start, including a superb opening spell by Munokoa Tunupopo (0/12 from six overs), Hockley and her opening partner Paula Flannery accelerated the scoring. Hockley was dismissed for 76 on the final ball of the 37th over when Natalie Scripps sent her middle stump flying. The opening partnership was worth 154.

Canterbury lost another four wickets before ending their fifty overs on 236 for 5. Flannery finished unbeaten on 96 after taking a single off the first ball of the final over and losing the strike. Her innings was a fortunate one, however, as she gave several chances to dropped catches or missed stumpings. Nicola Payne (13) contributed the only six of the day, a hoick off Kathryn Ramel.

Fruin (21) and Tyler (55) added 53 for the first wicket before Fruin was trapped lbw by Debbie Hockley. Emily Drumm (79* from 91 balls), who played a near-flawless innings, and Kathryn Ramel (42 from 37 balls) kept Auckland within striking distance of Canterbury's run rate. It was wicketkeeper Rebecca Rolls, who came to the crease with Auckland needing 36 to win from 32 balls, who sealed the win for the home side. Rolls smashed an unbeaten 27 from 14 balls with five boundaries, including two in a row to finish the match. Canterbury shuffled eight bowlers to no avail.