The ACT Meteors have beaten the Vic Spirit by seven runs in a thrilling Women's Twenty20 match at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Friday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Meteors put on 140 from their 20 overs, led by a superb 71 off 58 balls from opener Asha Smith, while Sara Hungerford chipped in with 33 off 21 balls.
Seamer Briana Binch was the pick of the Spirit bowlers, the 25-year-old taking the wickets of Meteors skipper Kris Britt (6) and Charlotte Anneveld (4), while medium pacer Emily McIntyre and off-spinner Molly Strano picked up one apiece.
In response, the Spirit were on the back foot from the outset as quicks Zoe Cooke and orthodox spinner Rhiannon Dick got hold of the Vics top order.
Elyse Villani (6) was the first to go, and she was quickly followed by Emma Inglis (10) and Kelly Applebee (0).
When Meg Lanning (15) was caught by Anneveld off the bowling of Cooke, the Spirit were in dire straits at 4-32.
Despite some late hitting from Binch (27) and Strano (23 not out), it was too little too late for the visitors and they finished on 8-133 after their 20 overs.
Dick took 2-16 for the ACT, while Cooke finished with 2-23. Lynsey Askew, Sally Moylan and Kate Owen each took one wicket.
First Posted 09 November, 2012 6:07PM AEST
