Victoria Women v New South Wales Women, 1st final, Melbourne

New South Wales sneak home by one wicket

Cricinfo staff

January 26, 2007

New South Wales Women 9 for 137 (K Blackwell 41, Fitzpatrick 4-29) beat Victoria Women 136 (Anneveld 3-10, Farrell 3-27) by 1 wicket
Scorecard

Kate Blackwell top-scored in the Breakers' win © Getty Images

New South Wales Breakers survived a late collapse to stumble across the line by one wicket in a thrilling first final at Melbourne's Central Reserve. The Breakers looked set to overhaul Victoria Spirit's 136 and needed only two runs with three wickets in hand.

But the loss of 2 for 0 within nine balls put the game back up for grabs until a wide and a single nudged New South Wales home. The Breakers, last year's champions, were well led in their chase by Kate Blackwell (41) but Cathryn Fitzpatrick's 4 for 29 from ten overs ensured a tight finish.

Fitzpatrick began well, taking two wickets as New South Wales stumbled to 2 for 16. But Blackwell steadied and pushed her side close enough to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals series.

Victoria's batsmen struggled to convert starts and were bowled out in the 47th over. Charlotte Anneveld and Rene Farrell claimed three each as the home side failed to build a threatening partnership. Jessica Cameron, 17, top-scored with 28 but she was one of five in the innings to reach double-figures and fall short of a big score.

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