Lauren Down, Holly Huddleston star in Hearts' thrilling win over Magicians in Super Smash 2021-22

Lauren Down starred with an unbeaten 66 off 58 as Auckland Hearts beat defending champions Canterbury Magicians in a thriller at the Kennards Hire Community Oval in Auckland on Friday (January 7). Despite a 71 from Amy Satterthwaite, Magicians fell one run short of the target as Hearts registered their third win in the Super Smash 2021-22.

Chasing 136 to win, Magicians lost Natalie Cox early when Arlene Kelly accounted for her in the first over. It looked like they were on course to chase down Hearts’ score with Satterthwaite and Frances Mackay adding 81 runs for the second wicket.

However, Molly Penfold struck twice to remove Mackay for 34 and the dangerous Lea Tahuhu for a six-ball 11. Left-handed Satterthwaite kept her innings going as she brought up her fifty from 43 balls. When Magicians lost Jacinta Savage for four in the 19^th over, they needed 15 runs from 11 balls.

With only five runs coming from the penultimate over, Magicians needed a further ten in the last over. After getting three singles in the first three balls, Kirsty Nation scored a three and Satterthwaite added another two. The southpaw had to get another double to take her side to victory, but unfortunately for her she was caught behind the wicket by IC Gaze of the bowling off Holly Huddleston.

For Hearts, Penfold was the most successful bowler with figures of two for 29, while Kelly and Huddleston picked up a wicket apiece.

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Earlier opting to bat first, Hearts didn’t have the greatest of starts as they lost Gaze and Bella Armstrong in the final over of the power play. At the other end, Down continued her good form and helped her side recover for 40 for three in 7.2 overs.

Down and Huddleston added 75 runs for the fourth wicket to take Hearts to a competitive score. Although Satterthwaite accounted for Huddleston in the 19^th over, they scored 20 runs in the last ten balls. After reaching her 50 from 50 balls, Down upped the ante and Hearts finished on 135 for four from the stipulated 20 overs.

For Magicians, Tahuhu finished with incredible figures of two for 13 from her four overs.

Brief Scores: Auckland Hearts 135/4 in 20 overs (Lauren Down 66*, Holly Huddleston 42; Lea Tahuhu 2/13) beat Canterbury Magicians 134/5 in 20 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 71, Frances Mackay 34; Molly Penfold 2/29) by one run.