The pacemakers of women’s cricket, Wellington and Canterbury, meet in a new final

For the second time this summer, Wellington and Canterbury will face each other in a women’s domestic white ball final to decide the title.

Three weeks after the Magicians triumphed against the Blaze by 12 runs in the Women’s T20 Super Smash Finalthe domestic pacemakers will meet again on Saturday in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 50-over final in Queenstown.

Wellington had already secured a last place last weekend and they were joined by Canterbury in Saturday’s penultimate round.

The Magicians secured their final berth with a match to play and did it in style, crushing defending champions Otago by 112 runs at Queenstown.

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Otago bounced back to win Sunday’s final round by 37 runs, avoiding the final spot, which went to Northern Districts on net run rate, with both teams finishing on 16 match points.

Former Canterbury all-rounder Kate Ebrahim delivered a player of the match for the Sparks, scoring 106 not out and then taking three wickets, including Amy Satterthwaite’s prized scalp, who recorded 66.

On Saturday, Canterbury scored 317-5, batting first, anchored by Satterthwaite, who will end her illustrious playing career after Saturday’s final.

Fresh off an unbeaten 103 against Central last Sunday on her final home outing at Hagley Oval, which was renamed Satterthwaite Oval, for the weekend the southpaw was another standout.

Satterthwaite top-scored for the Magicians with 75 off 66 balls with Nat Cox (59) and Kate Anderson having a breakaway summer with the bat (52) also impressing.

Top qualifiers Wellington finished round play in style, overwhelming Central by eight wickets on Sunday at Palmerston North. The Blaze had suffered their first 50-over loss of the season the day before, losing to the Hinds by nine wickets.

Wicket-keeper batsman Jess McFadyen was impressive for Wellington on Sunday as they chased Central’s 218-9 aggregate, completing 96 not out and hitting nine boundaries.

McFadyen teamed up for a 136-point opening lead with Rebecca Burns, who was also in the points, scoring 72.

Wet weather in Auckland over the weekend meant no play could be played between the Auckland Hearts and Northern.

It was an unfortunate way for Auckland stalwarts Katie Perkins and Holly Huddleston to pull down the curtain on their long domestic careers. They both announced their retirement prior to the final round.

AT A GLANCE:

Sunday results:

At Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown: Otago 265-4 in 50 overs (Kate Ebrahim 106no, Olivia Gain 67no, Caitlin Blakely 32) defeated Canterbury 228 in 46 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 66, Nat Cox 31; Ebrahim 3-33, Molly Loe 3-44, Emma Black 3-45) with 37 runs.

At Fitzherbert Park Palmerston North: Central 218-9 in 50 overs (Natalie Dodd 64, Georgia Atkinson 44, Melissa Hansen 39no; Leigh Kasperek 3-42) lost to Wellington 220-2 in 35.2 overs (Jess McFadyen 96 no, Rebecca Burns 72, Kasperek 30 no) by eight wickets.

Auckland v Northern at Colin Maiden Park, Auckland: match abandoned

Results Saturday:

At Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown: Canterbury 317-5 in 50 overs (Satterthwaite 75, Cox 59, Kate Anderson 52) defeated Otago 205 in 45.1 overs (Ebrahim 89, Bella James 32; Sarah Asmussen 4-42) with 112 runs.

At Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North: Wellington 115 in 26.3 overs (Burns 40; Jess Watkin 3-11, Rosemary Mair 3-34) lost to Central 118-1 in 25.3 overs (Watkin 63no, Dodd 47no) by nine wickets.

Auckland v Northern at Colin Maiden Park, Auckland: match abandoned

Hallyburton Johnstone Shield finishing points after 10 rounds: Wellington 35, Canterbury 27, Central 20, Auckland 19, Otago 16, Northern Districts 16.