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The Perth Scorchers four-game winning streak has come to an end falling to ladder-leaders the Melbourne Stars by 6 runs at Hurstville Oval.
Having won the toss and elected to bowl, the Scorchers got off to the dream start when veteran opener Elyse Villani was trapped in front by upcoming leg-spinner Sarah Glenn for a solitary run.
Her dismissal brought the arrival of Mignon du Preez to join former Scorcher Meg Lanning at the crease and the dynamic duo wasted no time in wrestling the momentum back in favour of the Stars.
The veteran pair put on 99 runs for the third wicket before Meg Lanning was dismissed for 57 by Nicole Bolton.
Her wicket led to the Stars losing their momentum when it seemed a score in excess of 170 was on cards seeing their last seven wickets fall for only 48 runs.
The Scorchers were well served by the ever consistent Nicole Bolton who led the attack with 3/25 while Heather Graham and Sarah Glenn each took two.
The momentum shift helped restrict the potent Melbourne Stars batting lineup to 8/149 of its allocated 20 overs.
In pursuit of 150, the Scorchers started off in solid fashion with Beth Mooney and Chloe Piparo taking the challenge head on against Holly Ferling and Rosemary Mair.
Even without second-leading run-scorer Sophie Devine with a back compliant, the Scorchers were on track to record their fifth-consecutive victory.
Enter Alana King who’s dismissal of Beth Mooney triggered a Scorchers collapse losing their next seven wickets for only 70 runs.
Despite some late hitting from Mathilda Carmichael who made 32 of 30 deliveries, it wasn’t enough, with the Stars showing they are still the team to beat with a gutsy win.
Perth will play the Brisbane Heat at the same venue tomorrow, the Heat having won four of the past five matches between the sides on top of being the dual reigning champions.
IMAGE: Melbourne Stars website.