Scorpions hold off Spirit in thriller

South Australia have held off Victoria in a thriller to claim a two-run victory and continue their unbeaten run in the Women's National Cricket League.

Chasing 190 from a rain-shortened 33 overs for victory, the Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit fell agonisingly short at 8-188.

The Victorian top-order looked to have the run chase under control early, with Hayley Jensen (50) and Sarah Elliot (42) posting 75 runs before the latter was run out by Lauren Ebsary.

Jensen and skipper Meg Lanning (37) then continued to score at a good pace and when Jensen also fell victim to some sharp Scorpions fielding, English international Danielle Wyatt continued the chase with a timely 23 off 20.

But when Wyatt fell in the 28th over - followed by Lanning (37), Kelly Applebee (11) and Anna Lanning (0) in the 30th - the Spirit's hopes of remaining undefeated hit a major roadblock.

Needing 14 runs off the final over, youngster Tahlia McGrath (0-30) held her nerve as the Scorpions claimed their third win of the season.

Sam Betts impressed with 3-39, including the key wickets of Applebee and the Lanning sisters.

Earlier, rain delayed the start of the match at Melbourne's Junction Oval, but when play did commence the Breezair SA Redbacks started aggressively.

Opener Bridget Patterson starred with 71 off 86 balls, while pace bowler Sarah Coyte – who moved from NSW to South Australia this season seeking extra opportunities with the bat – added a handy 38 off 31.

In Saturday's other match at Melbourne's Camberwell Sports Ground, the ACT Meteors held their nerve in a tight chase to defeat the Alcohol.Think Again Western Fury.

The ACT won the toss in the weather-affected game, sending WA in and immediately reaping wickets as the Fury struggled in challenging conditions.

Fury captain Nicole Bolton (44) provided a steady hand as wickets tumbled around her, while Heather Graham the only other batter to resist the Meteors' attack, scoring 42.

Late runs from No.9 Emma Biss also proved handy as the Fury were bowled out for 161.

The Meteors appeared to have their chase under control when they reached 0-30 in the eighth over, before Graham made her presence felt again – this time with the ball - running out Claire Koski for 17.

Spinner Emma King (2-33) then trapped skipper Kris Britt for a duck the next over, and Graham claimed a double-strike to remove Sarah McGlashan (24) and Katie Mack (38), leaving the ACT in trouble at 4-88.

However an important 26 from Erin Osborne kept the Meteors in the game, before tailenders Rebecca Maher and Nicole Goodwin held their nerve to see the ACT over the line with two wickets in hand and four balls remaining.

Sunday's WNCL action will see VicSpirit play Western Australia at Junction Oval, while the Meteors will play South Australia at Camberwell Sports Ground.

The Lend Lease Breakers will also be in action, taking on the Konica Minolta Queensland Fire in Hurstville.