Victoria Spirit battled to a three-wicket win over the Western Fury in their Women's Twenty20 clash at Casey Fields on Sunday.
The hosts elected to bowl and it proved to be a good decision as the Fury only reached 8-82 from their 20 overs.
Heather Graham (21 not out) top scored for the visitors, who were unable to deal with the likes of Briana Binch (3-8 off four overs).
Molly Strano (2-13) and Emily McIntyre (2-17) were the other multiple wicket-takers in a dominant Victorian bowling line-up.
But the Spirit struggled in their chase and only reached their target thanks to an unbeaten 48 from opener Elyse Villani.
Villani was the only Spirit player to make double figures as they were reduced to 4-41 as the top-order never got going.
When McIntyre (four) departed at the hands of Nicky Shaw (2-13), the Spirit looked in trouble at 5-55.
Strano (six) combined with Villani for a handy 17-run partnership before she fell and Kristen Beams (zero) was trapped in front by Emma Biss (2-4) two balls later.
But with Villani still at the crease the Spirit looked like they would reach their target and they did thanks to a Binch boundary off the second ball of the 17th over.
First Posted 29 October, 2012 10:14AM AEST
