The New South Wales Breakers remained unbeaten in the Women's National Cricket League after a three-wicket victory over the Tasmanian Roar at Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney on Friday.
Set a small total of 171 for victory, the Breakers reached the target with 33 balls remaining for the loss of seven wickets.
It looked like the Roar were on their way to an upset when they reduced the Breakers to 6-96 in the 22nd over, but the home side held their nerve late in proceedings to pick up the points.
The Breakers had Nicola Carey (46 not out) and Sarah Coyte (34) to thank for their patience at the bottom of the order, while Kara Sutherland (five not out) also provided an important knock in getting her side over the line.
Earlier, the Roar reached 9-170 from their 50 overs with Veronica Pyke the top scorer with a well compiled 51.
Pyke gave the Roar some vital middle-order runs and combined well with Emily Divin (36) for an important partnership of 69.
Anita Silva added 27 at a run-a-ball late in the innings to push the Roar to 170, but that score didn't look like it would be enough when the Breakers made a solid start to their run chase.
Leah Poulton and Rachael Haynes added 38 for the opening wicket in good time, before Pyke dismissed the former for 16.
Australian stars Alex Blackwell (four) and Lisa Sthalekar (five) followed shortly after and, when Haynes was bowled by Erin Burns (4-36) for 46, the Roar had a sniff of victory.
But the cool heads of Coyte, Carey and Sutherland combined late to get the Breakers over the line.
The victory was the Breakers' fourth of their WNCL campaign and keeps them at the top of the ladder, while the Roar remain in bottom spot and without a win.
First Posted 07 December, 2012 5:54PM AEST
