A routine chase and two thrillers - WBBL05's fourth weekend tale

In the first clash at Junction Oval between Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes, Jess Duffin’s 75 played a major role in the Renegades four-wicket win over the Hurricanes.
Batting first, the side in purple got to five for 150, thanks to a 92-run partnership between Fran Wilson (45) and captain Corinne Hall. Hall scored an undefeated fifty, her third in the WBBL. Molly Strano and Sophie Molineux’s two wickets apiece ensured the red-clad side didn’t have a mountain to climb.
In pursuit of 151, Renegades were reduced to three for 12 and eventually four for 53 inside nine overs, when Duffin and Courtney Webb (33) got together. They added 78 runs for the fifth wicket to keep the home side on track. However, despite both falling soon after, Renegades got home off the last ball. Belinda Vakarewa and Meg Phillips’ two-fers were not enough for Hurricanes.
In the second clash of the day, Perth Scorchers managed to eke out a two-run win over Adelaide Strikers at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide, despite Bridget Patterson’s 32-ball 60. Sophie Devine gave the hosts a sound start, hitting 58 runs off 50 balls. The Strikers were chasing 174 for a win. Devine and Patterson then went on to add 75 for the third wicket, but all was to prove futile as they eventually fell short.
Perth Scorchers had earlier managed to post three for 173, thanks to a humongous 141-run partnership for the opening wicket. Amy Jones played the aggressor’s role in the stand, finishing with 80 runs, while Meg Lanning continued her stellar form, hitting her second fifty of the season, to go with a couple of scores in the 40s. She ended with 64 off 50 balls that featured seven fours and a six.
In the clash between Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat at the North Sydney Oval, the latter came up trumps to win both the clashes against the pink-clad side this season. Both Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy couldn’t fire for the Sixers and they eventually ended up with only 123 runs to play with. Jess Jonassen picked up two wickets with her left-arm spin and so did Delissa Kimmince with her seam bowling.
In reply, steady contributions from the top four helped Heat sail through, with Jonassen top-scoring with 33. Dane van Niekerk, with her leg-spin, was the most economical bowler with two for 19 to show.
Brief Scores:
Hobart Hurricanes 150/5 in 20 overs (Corinne Hall 50*, Fran Wilson 45; Sophie Molineux 2/25, Molly Strano 2/29) lost to Melbourne Renegades 151/6 in 20 overs (Jessica Duffin 75; Belinda Vakarewa 2/21, Meg Phillips 2/23) by four wickets.
Perth Scorchers 173/3 in 20 overs (Amy Jones 80, Meg Lanning 64; Sophie Devine 1/28) beat Adelaide Strikers 171/4 in 20 overs (Bridget Patterson 60, Sophie Devine 58; Taneale Peschel 1/29) by two runs.
Sydney Sixers 123/7 in 20 overs (Dane van Niekerk 28; Jess Jonassen 2/20, Delissa Kimmince 2/26) lost to Brisbane Heat 127/3 in 16.5 overs (Jess Jonassen 33; Dane van Niekerk 2/19) by seven wickets.