Alex Blackwell's half-century helped the New South Wales Breakers defeat Vic Spirit by 28 runs in the Women's National Twenty20 on Friday.
The Breakers won the toss and batted first at Junction Oval in Melbourne, Blackwell top-scoring for the visitors with 51, as they posted 7-149 from their 20 overs.
Victoria struggled to 9-122 in reply, losing regular wickets despite several players getting a start at the crease.
Kirsty Lamb, batting at number seven, finished the innings as the Spirit's top-scorer on 29 not out, followed by Kelly Applebee (21).
Poor returns from openers Meg Lanning (13) and Elyse Villani (four) had the home side on the back foot right from the off in their run chase, while the struggles of Jess Cameron (12) and Emma Inglis (10) did little to improve Victoria's situation.
When Emily McIntyre (11) departed the crease, she left the Spirit 5-75, and with little hope of reeling in the Breakers' total.
Lisa Sthalekar (2-20) and Sarah Coyte (2-30) did much of the damage for New South Wales in the field, but it was Angela Reakes who finished with standout figures, having claimed two wickets - those of Cameron and Inglis - at a cost of just five runs.
Sharon Millanta and Nicola Carey also bagged one scalp apiece.
Earlier, Blackwell's 51 off 44 deliveries anchored the Breakers' innings, assisted by Leah Poulton (29) and contributions from Sthalekar (16), Coyte (14) and Rachael Haynes (14).
Lamb led the Spirit's bowlers with 3-20, while Briana Binch had 2-35.
First Posted 04 January, 2013 5:47PM AEST
