VicSpirit's stranglehold on the Women's National Cricket League Twenty20 title is over after the three-time champions lost to rivals NSW Breakers at the MCG on Sunday, spelling the end of their 2012/13 campaign.
The hosts needed nothing less than victory in the curtain-raiser to the KFC Big Bash League Melbourne Derby, but were handed a crushing 50-run defeat in the final round.
The result means NSW will host Western Fury in the final on January 16.
It was a totally dominant display from NSW, who controlled the game with bat and ball to finish in top position on the WT20 ladder.
The Breakers won the toss and compiled 6-173 with captain Alex Blackwell (43), Rachel Haynes (37), Sarah Coyte (26 not out) and Leah Poulton (25) leading the way with the bat in what was an even contribution.
Needing 8.7 runs per over, the Vics felt the pressure of the run chase from the start and lost star batters Meg Lanning (13), Elyse Villani (12) and Jess Cameron (two) cheaply and never recovered.
Emma Inglis (35) fought back in the middle order for the Spirit but the Breakers had too much star power with the ball as Lisa Sthalekar (2-9 from three overs), Ellyse Perry (2-13 from two), Angela Reakes (2-18 from four) and Nicola Carey (2-7 from one) kept them from building any meaningful partnerships.
Earlier Emily McIntyre (1-30 from four) claimed the key wicket of Alyssa Healy (3) in the first over but NSW responded through Poulton and Blackwell who exploited the gaps in the wide expanses of the MCG to continue the flow of runs.
Poulton also cracked three fours and a massive six over mid off.
First Posted 06 January, 2013 7:22PM AEST
