Round 5 of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield saw the Magicians on the road to Bay Oval at Mt Maunganui to face Northern Districts.

Captain Laura Hughes won the toss and chose to bat on a fine day and a wicket that looked true with a fast outfield. It was an innings highlighted by starts, with 7 batters making double figures, but none kicking on to the large innings the team required. Izzy Sharp top scoring with 45 (55 balls) including 5 boundaries. When Sharp was 7th out with the score at 142 the tail got the team through to 175 in 43 overs.

This meant there was time for 6 overs before the scheduled lunch break, with Northern getting off to a flier and going into the break at 30/1, with Sarah Asmussen claiming a vital breakthrough.

It was a similar story after the break, with Northern getting away to a quick start before the Magicians bowlers Asmussen, Sullivan and Mackay got into their work, firstly slowing the scoring down and then getting breakthroughs on a regular basis. Nicola Clayton was reintroduced into the attack, taking 2 wickets to set up a nail-biter of a finish.

With Savage and Dean both chipping in with late wickets, Northern required 14 to win and the Magicians 2 wickets. On this occasion, it was Northern that got across the line, with two wickets in hand.

A dogged bowling effort from the Magicians with Clayton (2-32), Asmussen (1-37), Sullivan (1-43), Mackay (1-21), Savage (1-22) and Dean (1-10) all among the wicket takers.

SCORECARD & HIGHLIGHTS: https://bit.ly/HBJMagsND