Fire on fire and Breakers broken

New South Wales were beaten for the first time this season, but not before reserving a home final on January 19. It was bottom-placed Western Australia who halted their seven-match winning streak with an eight-run victory on Saturday, and they ran them close on the first of the two matches on Friday, with the visitors eventually emerging victorious with an eight-run win.

In Friday's game at Aquinas College, Lisa Sthalekar chose to bat in overcast but hot condition and they reached 7 for 231, thanks to an opening stand of 101 between Alex Blackwell and Leah Poulton. Blackwell continued her terrific form making 42 from 71 balls before being run out attempting a cheeky single. Poulton's was the second wicket to fall, caught for 39. Kate Blackwell put the finishing touches on the innings with an unbeaten 51.

The Fury batters took the attack to the bowlers, Avril Fahey almost got her side home at the death with 44 not out. Angele Gray was the second top-scorer with 40 while Renee Chappell made an entertaining 36. But it wasn't quite enough.

Fury got their revenge on Saturday when Renee Chappell turned around their fortunes with 4 for 15 from her ten overs. After the early loss of Alex Blackwell and Leah Poulton, the home side recovered and were easing to their target of 142 after dismissing the Fury inside 36 overs. Enter Chappell who picked up two wickets in five balls and went on to consign them to 7 for 92 as they lost six wickets for 22 runs. Fahey took two wickets to complete the shock 39-run win.

The race for the other final position is hotting up meanwhile and whoever makes it will be encouraged by Western Fury's win. Queensland are challenging South Australia at the moment after a double win over Victoria.

Queensland opened with a tight four-run win on Friday at Junction Oval, with tight bowling restricting Queensland to 8 for 172 but Jodie Purves' unbeaten 85 proved the difference. Victoria paced their reply well, Mel Jones' 42 setting them up but they were bowled out with four balls to go, four runs short of their target.

Saturday's match was much more emphatic: a thumping seven-wicket victory. Melissa Bulow and Kasee Marxsen each made a weighty half-century in an opening stand worth 118 which set the platform for Purves to add 30. Kelly Applebee had earlier topscored with 41 but their 192 proved just short.