The Hobart Hurricanes WBBL|09 campaign officially concluded against the Adelaide Strikers, as the defeat to the ladder leaders at the SCG extinguished any chance of the 'Canes making the finals.
Winning the toss and bowling on a sunny day in Sydney, the 'Canes knew the scenario for a finals finish - beat the Strikers quickly to improve their net run rate and hope that the Sixers could upset the Thunder.
The Strikers unfortunately didn't read the script, and though not exploding out of the gate, frustrated the Hurricanes bowling attack who desperately needed wickets.
Katie Mack and Laura Wolvaardt occupied the crease comfortably for the first ten overs of the game, giving the Strikers a platform to launch from. When Mack was finally removed by Shabnim Ismail, this brought the dangerous Tahlia McGrath to the crease - who immediately accelerated the pace of the innings.
At 1-67, McGrath and Wolvaardt went on the attack and brought the total above 100 before Nicola Carey had McGrath caught in the outfield. Wolvaardt continued her excellent form - and Bridget Patterson came in to adopt the aggressors role.
Wolvaardt was finally removed with just a ball left in the innings, anchoring the Strikers batting superbly with a well made 73, and helping Adelaide reach a healthy total of 3-164.
The Hurricanes were up against it, but made a promising start, scoring double digits in the opening over. However, the momentum changed very quickly - Jemma Barsby clean-bowled Elyse Villani before McGrath secured back to back wickets of Nicola Carey and Naomi Stalenberg to leave the 'Canes in deep water at 4-49.
The middle order was also unable to fire, and the Hurricanes quickly ran out of wickets well short of the target, bowled out for 87 in a 77 run loss.
Full scorecard here