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Stars shine in WNCL opening round

A thriller between the Breakers and the Fury at the WACA stole the show on the first day of WNCL action

NSW Breakers have started their Women’s National Cricket League title defence in thrilling fashion, claiming a one-wicket win with one ball to spare over the Western Fury on Friday.

A century from Southern Stars opener Nicole Bolton was ultimately not enough for the Alcohol.Think Again Fury, as a boundary from 19-year-old spinner Lauren Smith off the second last ball of the match handed the Lend Lease Breakers victory.

Scorecard: NSW triumph in thriller

Having elected to bat, Fury skipper Bolton – who moved back to WA this season after one year in Victoria - led from the front, scoring 104 from 141, helped by handy scores from fellow Southern Stars recruits Elyse Villani (48 off 81) and Jess Cameron (30 off 30).

Bolton and Villani shared a 143-run opening stand, but strikes from spinner Lauren Smith (2-45) and economical 10-over spells from Ellyse Perry (1-33) and England spinner Laura Marsh (0-33) prevented the Fury from gaining any late momentum as they finished 5-219 from their 50 overs.

Breakers opener Rachel Haynes (72 off 90) gave her team a good start in reply, while a fifty from Ellyse Perry (57 off 69) made the difference as wickets tumbled.

The Breakers fell from 5-190 to 9-211 and needed nine runs from the final over, but No.10 Georgia Redmayne – playing her first innings for NSW - and No.11 Smith held their nerve, with a boundary from Smith off the second-last ball seeing the Breakers over the line and ending the Fury’s hopes of an upset win to start to the season.

Veteran seamer Nicky Shaw was the best of Western Australia’s bowlers, collecting 4-29, while medium-pacer Emma Biss collected two wickets.

Meanwhile, at Allan Border Field, an unbeaten 89 from Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit captain Meg Lanning helped her team to a six-wicket win over Queensland Fire.

Scorecard: VicSpirit close out tight chase

Batting first, Konica Minolta Fire opener Grace Harris continued her excellent form from the Women’s Ashes, scoring67 off 56, and was supported by Kirby Short (60 not out off 87) and Beth Mooney (49 off 70) as the Fire posted 7-245.

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Grace Harris scored a powerful fifty // Getty Images

England allrounder Danielle Wyatt was the pick of the Spirit bowlers in her first match for Victoria since 2010-11, taking 3-40 from 10 overs.

Image Id: ~/media/8C28C76E535F4613836D77329E69B6B5Briana Brinch celebrates with England import Danielle Wyatt // Getty Images

Victoria opener Sarah Elliot gave the Spirit a strong start in reply with 48, and when the losses of international imports Hayley Jensen and Wyatt left Victoria needing 94 runs from 98 balls, it was world No.1 batter Lanning who provided the perfect run chase, seeing her team home with eight balls to spare, while also scoring the sole six of the match.

At the Gabba, ACT recruits Lea Tahuhu, Erin Osborne and Angela Reakes made an immediate impact for their new team as the Meteors posted a seven-wicket win over Cripps Tasmania Roar.

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New Zealand's Sara McGlashan was impressive // Getty Images

New Zealand quick Tahuhu claimed two wickets in the first over to have the Roar in immediate trouble – finishing with 3-21 after her 10 overs - while Osborne and Reakes also chipped in with two wickets apiece as Tasmania was dismissed for 182.

Scorecard: ACT claim seven-wicket win

However, the situation could have been worse for the Roar if not for Corinne Hall, who was not stopped by a broken bat on her way to 64.

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Corinne Hall gestures for a new bat // Getty Images

Then, Katie Mack (67 off 113) and Sara McGlashan (62 off 43) saw the Meteors home in their chase with few problems.

Saturday will see another big day of WNCL action. Victoria meet Tasmania at the Gabba, Queensland play the ACT at Allan Border Field, and Breezair SA Scorpions take on NSW at the WACA.