The Tasmanian Roar have clinched a thrilling four-wicket win against the Queensland Fire with just two balls to spare in their WNCL Twenty20 clash at Blundstone Arena on Saturday.
With the hosts needing seven runs off the last over to win, top-scorer Veronica Pyke (30 off 23 balls) put the result beyond doubt when she smacked one of her four boundaries off the second ball of the over as Tasmania ultimately reached 6-126 in response to Queensland's 6-125.
Opener Emma Thompson (27 off 37) was also a valuable contributor for the Roar while cameos from Linsey Da Costa (15 off six), Erin Burns (13 off 10) and Corinne Hall (11 off 16) came in handy as well.
Da Costa's whirlwind knock came after she starred with the ball during the Fire's innings, taking figures of 3-31 off her four overs.
Tasmania looked in danger when they were reduced to 5-83 in the 16th over after Belinda Page (nine off nine) was run out by Grace Harris.
But Pyke and Da Costa combined for a vital late-innings 29-run stand which put the Roar back on track and played a key role in their nail-biting triumph.
Harris (2-20 off four) was the only multiple wicket-taker for Queensland.
Earlier, the Fire were well served by Jodie Fields (38 off 26), Melissa Bulow (25 off 34), Delissa Kimmince (22 off 21) and Beth Mooney (18 of 18).
The visitors themselves faced some nervous moments when they found themselves on 77 for the loss of four wickets.
But they were greatly assisted by a 42-run fifth-wicket union between Fields and Kirby Short (15 not out off 18) which helped them post a competitive total.
First Posted 05 January, 2013 5:42PM AEST
