Bartercard Taranaki Women Capped off Successful Weekend Visit to Masterton

An important Shrimpton Cup victory today has capped off a successful weekend visit to Masterton for the Bartercard New Zealand Taranaki women.

The 9-wicket victory over Wairarapa has seen the side jump into second place on the competition points table, sitting 12 points behind table-toppers Hawkes Bay but with three games in hand.

Two of those come next weekend when Taranaki hosts Nelson at Pukekura Park, and the Taranaki side can head into the matches with plenty of confidence after two convincing wins this weekend.

On Masteron’s picturesque Queen Elizabeth park on Sunday, captain Lucy Mitchell opted to send Wairarapa in and the decision quickly paid dividends when Grace Foreman struck in the first over. A 39-run third wicket partnership was as good as it got for the hosts, as wickets fell regularly. Mitchell was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 3/25, while Anika Scott and Sarah Parker both picked up two as Wairarapa was restricted to a well under par 116.

Taranaki opener Jessie Hollard continued her good form this season and her unbeaten 51 provided the platform for a run chase which never looked in serious doubt. Parker also contributed a valuable 39 in an 80-run partnership with Hollard.

The win came a day after a similarly convincing outing in a friendly match against Marlborough. The South Islanders were also sent into bat by Mitchell, who then took 3/35 as Marlborough went on to make 175/5 in their 40-overs.

Taranaki’s top order was equal to the task though with Hollard making an unbeaten 43, and fellow opener Emily Cunningham (47), Parker (23) and CD U19 rep Sophie Campbell (21 not out) all contributing to the 7-wicket win in the 28th over.

Full match details for both games can be found here at Play HQ: