Women's League shaping as Auckland-Wellington final

If all results in the last weekend of games in the women's State League, the final is shaping as an Auckland-Wellington affair with the outstanding Canterbury team of recent seasons shut out of the picture.

In today's games Auckland and Wellington completed wins.

Auckland beat Central Districts at Waikanae in a close-run game. Auckland were all out in the 50th over for 158. Natalie Scripps scored 30 off 40 balls and Helen Watson scored 28. While Melissa Murray finished with the better figures of two for 27 from nine overs, young spin bowler Aimee Mason bowled most impressively against the Auckland top order, including Rebecca Rolls and Emily Drumm to take one for 13 from her 10 overs.

Central Districts replied with 146 with Nicole Thessman scoring 45 and Scripps taking four for 26 and Watson taking three for 14.

In Wellington, at Kelburn Park, Northern Districts batted first and scored 93 in 44.3 overs. Anna Soma scored 27 and Victoria Brown 16. Jane Hunter-Siu took four for 11 off 7.3 overs.

Wellington took only 23.3 overs to score 74/2 to take an eight wicket win. Anna O'Leary scored 33 not out and Maia Lewis 16 not out.

A double-header of games will decided the finalists at the weekend. Canterbury plays Otago, Wellington plays Central Districts and Northern Districts plays Auckland.