Perennial women's cricket rivals Auckland and Canterbury played out the first tie in living memory at provincial level in the State Insurance Cup women's game at Hagley Oval today.

Canterbury was dismissed earlier today for 180 and Auckland lost its last wicket at the same score from the last ball of the game.

Canterbury had recovered from 14/3. A 68-run partnership between Paula Flannery and Jo Lawler ensured a more competitive score from the Cantabrians. Flannery scored 49 before being run out while Lawler was out for 29. Fiona Fraser, in her debut match for Canterbury, scored a quick-fire 19 off 21 balls.

Natalie Scripps got right among the young Canterbury side and finished with 5-37 from her 8.3 overs.

Auckland was in trouble early when a superb catch above her head by Lisa Astle removed danger hitter Rebecca Rolls for a duck. With Emily Drumm given out leg before wicket for 16, Auckland slumped to 60/5.

However, captain Kathryn Ramel hit a fine 68 to lead the recovery. But with three runs needed off the last over and two wickets in hand, Auckland succumbed to the bowling of Sarah Burke.

She bowled two scoreless balls and then had separate leg byes taken from the next two while wickets fell off the last two balls. Burke finished with 2-40, Hannah Rae took 3-34 off her 10 overs while Haidee Tiffen had 2-31 off her 10.

Former New Zealand captain Maia Lewis scored an outstanding 89 for Wellington to help them to an 82-run win over Northern Districts at Hamilton.

Lewis, who has been troubled with injuries in recent seasons, made her first mistake of the innings when dismissed. CLEAR White Fern Anna O'Leary, the Wellington captain, scored 28 and Amanda Cooper 30 for Wellington.

Nicola Browne had fine figures of 3-33 from her 8.1 overs and she was well supported by Victoria Brown who took 2-36 from 10 overs.

ND replied with 144/9. Katherine Spence scored 48 while Anna Corbin took 4-11 from her 10 overs and Margaret Presland 4-34 off her nine.

Canterbury 180 (Paula Flannery 49, Jo Lawler 29, Amiria Marsh 34, Fiona Fraser 19; Natalee Scripps 5-37, Kathryn Ramel 1-17, Helen Watson 1-32) tied with Auckland 180 (Ramel 68; Hannah Rae 3-34; Haidee Tiffen 2-31) at Hagley Oval.

Wellington 226 (Anna O'Leary 28, Maia Lewis 89, Amanda Cooper 30; Haylee Partridge 3-35, Victoria Brown 2-36, Nicola Browne 3-33) beat Northern Districts 144-9 (Katherine Spence 48; Anna Corbin 4-11, Margaret Presland 4-34) by 82 runs at WestpacTrust Park.

© CricInfo