The NSW Breakers remain undefeated this season after knocking off the SA Scorpions by 11 runs in their Women's National Cricket League Twenty20 match on Sunday.
A defiant 78 from Scorpions captain Lauren Ebsary was not enough for the South Australians to overcome NSW, who have won all 10 of their games this season.
Ebsary simply did not have enough help as only one other Scorpion, in Rhianna Peate (11), managed to reach double figures with the bat.
Lisa Sthalekar scored a half-century for the Breakers in sweltering conditions at the Adelaide Oval, while opening bowler Sarah Coyte took three wickets to keep NSW's winning streak going.
NSW batted first after winning the toss and despite losing Alyssa Healy for a duck in the opening over, followed by captain Alex Blackwell (three) soon after, the Breakers set a strong total of 8-135.
Sthalekar (50) and opener Leah Poulton (31) provided the decisive partnership of 43, while Angela Reakes (14 not out) added crucial runs late in NSW's innings.
Alex Price was the Scorpions' best bowler with 4-27 off her four overs, while Megan Schutt (2-18) was another handy performer with the ball.
In reply, the South Australians scored too slowly early in their innings to ever have a genuine chance of chasing down NSW's total, with the heat seemingly taking its toll on the hosts.
With the mercury nudging 40 degrees, SA managed just 45 runs off their opening 10 overs.
The Scorpions were 6-108 with two overs to go, needing 24 to win, and while Ebsary hit her first six on the second ball of the 19th over, the 29-year-old was out two deliveries later, effectively ending SA's chances of victory.
Ebsary tried to smash Coyte over midwicket for another six but the South Australian captain's shot was caught by Claire Koski.
Coyte finished with 3-24 off her four overs as SA ended their innings on 8-124.
First Posted 23 December, 2012 8:25PM AEST
