The CENTRAL HINDS have returned from Auckland with heads held high after an impressive win on Saturday followed by a narrow loss on Sunday in which they almost chased down 300 runs.

The Hinds are no strangers to chasing down big targets, but Sunday's effort was a special one for CATE PEDERSEN and EMMA McLEOD who poured on a record second-wicket stand for the team in their one-dayers against the Auckland Hearts.

Pedersen's previous career best was 51 but she smashed that to bits with a classy 97, in the 182-run partnership with McLeod (79) that doubled the previous record of 91.

MBUTCHER

While Pedersen was naturally gutted to miss out on a century, stumped at 203/3 in the 38th over, it was her best Hinds knock yet, and just her second List A half century.

Opener McLeod also batted beautifully on a warm Auckland afternoon as the Hinds tried to make it two out of two against the Hearts despite losing the toss on both occasions.

This time they were asked to field first, and watched as Hearts captain Maddy Green (109) composed a record-breaking fifth century for her side in a big partnership of her own with Bella Armstrong.

It was a frustrating hour and a half for the Hinds after two early breakthroughs had had the Hearts 11/2, but ASHTUTI KUMAR finally did the trick with a slick return catch to stop Armstrong on 75 before ROSEMARY MAIR got Green to mistime one, popping the ball up for another caught and bowled in the 35th over.

PHOTOSPORT

Mair turned in a tidy 3/27 as the Hinds started breaking through more regularly - but a quick half century from Izzy Gaze proved damaging as the Hearts reached 299/8.

A win in the eighth round match would have helped the Hinds' chances of getting a spot in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final, with three teams - the Hinds, Hearts and Wellington Blaze - vying for the last available spot, after win wins for Northern Districts saw them assure themselves of one of the berths with two rounds to spare.

The Blaze also won twice on the weekend, and that means they now need to find just one more point from the last two rounds to bump out both the Hinds and Hearts (whom the Blaze will be playing).

Kate Gaging | MBUTCHER

 

So the Hinds had everything to play for as they went after the big total, and after the sterling work from Pedersen and McLeod, and an important cameo from KATE GAGING at the death as the RPO hovered around 10, they took it to the last over, only to lose their last wicket just six runs short. 

So the Hinds must now hope that the Hearts will beat the Blaze twice in Wellington, and that there shalt not be inclement Wellington weather; and that they themselves will meanwhile take down the assured Northerners twice in Mount Maunganui this weekend, with a bonus point.

The previous day's 42-run win over the Hearts also featured runs at the top, with McLeod (44) and GEORGIA ATKINSON (47) putting on 97 for the first wicket.

But the Hearts fought back with wickets and the Hinds found themselves all out for 172 in the 40th over and bowling in reply before lunch.

It's not often a team wins from that position, but the Hinds were about to remind punters that they were a bowling and fielding unit to be reckoned with.

Mair and HANNAH ROWE both picked up a brace while FLORA DEVONSHIRE returned 4/32 as all five bowlers utilised went for fewer than five runs per over.

PHOTOSPORT

The Hinds bowled out the Hearts for just 130 in 32 overs to not only win, but pick up a very handy bonus point to take them ahead of their opponents on the ladder.

The Hinds are now in third spot heading into the last weekend of the regular season, meanwhile the Stags are in the top two of The Ford Trophy standings and also heading into Northern Districts territory this week as they attempt to ink in a Finals spot.

Three finals berths are available to the men and the Stags could yet finish top of the table, if they finish with a good three last rounds and for someone - possibly themselves in the last round in Nelson - to whip frontrunner Canterbury as well. 

The team is coming off back-to-back wins against the Firebirds in Wellington and the Aces in Napier, and have taken 13 to Hamilton for tomorrow's game with WILL CLARK and TOBY FINDLAY coming into form a squad of thirteen. 

Missing is BLAIR TICKNER who bowled just four overs in Napier as he deals with an ankle niggle.

The match at Hamilton's Seddon Park begins at 10.30am this Tuesday with the toss at 10am.

ROUND EIGHT

Central Stags v Northern Districts

10.30am | Tuesday, 10 February 2026

Seddon Park, Hamilton

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Livescores : www.cdcricket.co.nz

JAYDEN Lennox - captain, Hawke's Bay

WILL Clark - Hawke’s Bay

JOSH Clarkson - Nelson

DANE Cleaver - wicketkeeper, Manawatū

TOBY Findlay - Hawke's Bay

DEAN Foxcroft - Hawke’s Bay

CURTIS Heaphy - Manawatū

AJAZ Patel - Hawke's Bay

BRETT Randell - Nelson

ANGUS Schaw - Hawke's Bay

BRAD Schmulian - Hawke's Bay

RAY Toole - Manawatū  

WILL Young - Taranaki

Head Coach: GREG Hay

Assistant Coach: ALDIN Smith 

Contracted players unavailable for selection

Unavailable: Tyler Annand, Blair Tickner

Unavailable (casual playing contract): Tom Bruce (Scotland T20 World Cup)

Article added: Monday 9 February 2026