South Australia has kept its finals hopes well and truly alive with a nail-biting final‑over victory against WNCL ladder-leaders New South Wales.
The clash held extra significance for the home side, with star batter Bridget Patterson surpassing Karen Rolton to become South Australia’s most capped WNCL player.
SA made an ideal start with the ball, applying early pressure to reduce NSW to 2/15 thanks to sharp opening spells from Ella Wilson and Courtney Neale.
Veteran leggie Amanda-Jade Wellington then struck another blow, removing Claire Moore to deepen the visitors’ early trouble.
But NSW fought back strongly, posting a challenging total of 259 for SA.
South Australia’s chase wavered early as wickets fell, before in-form batter Courtney Webb steadied the innings with a composed 59, reigniting the pursuit.
Skipper Jemma Barsby (40) and milestone-maker Patterson (42) then combined for a crucial 80‑run stand, firmly swinging momentum back SA’s way.
With the match on a knife’s edge, Wellington produced another clutch performance—this time with the bat—blasting a rapid 28 not out to keep her side in control.
Requiring just five runs from the final over, young talent Eleanor Larosa showed nerves of steel, striking back-to-back boundaries to seal a memorable victory.
The result gives South Australia six wins from its past seven matches, keeping the team firmly in the hunt for a top‑two finish with one game left to play.
SA will meet New South Wales again on Saturday at Adelaide Oval, where a finals spot will be on the line.