Northern Districts pulled off what had to be one of the biggest upsets in New Zealand women's cricket when beating national champion team Auckland by 59 runs at Cobham Oval today.

Defending a total of 169, Northern Districts got rid of Auckland openers Rebecca Rolls and Shelley Fruin and from that stage all that stood between the State Insurance Cup defending champion Auckland was captain Kathryn Ramel's innings of 53.

Her effort was ended by a direct hit from Marie Hannay as Ramel was attempting a quick single.

Auckland was dismissed for 110.

Northern Districts coach Cliff Dickeson was delighted with the result.

"It couldn't be better. They did everything right. I felt their 169 was enough if everything went really well, which in cricket it very rarely does.

"But we got two early wickets for nix and then had them 30/3. They created the pressure and built from that.

"There's no question it is the greatest result for the ND women's team. There were five internationals in the Auckland team, that's half of a World Cup-winning team.

"That's not bad for a team mainly made up of 15, 16 and 17-year-olds. What it means is that these players can go nowhere with any fear now.

"We're stoked," he said.

Hayley Patridge took 3-19 off eight overs while Jenny Stafford took 3-20 off 6.3 overs.

Earlier, England opening batsman Charlotte Edwards hit when scoring 96 not out, including eight fours, in ND's total of 169 scored off 49.3 overs.

Debbie Ramsay took 2-18, Clare Nicholson 2-24 and Kathryn Ramel 2-29.

Canterbury beat Wellington by 15 runs at the Petone Recreation Ground.

Batting first, Canterbury scored 178/9 with Fiona Fraser top scoring with 39. Jo Strahan was 33 not out and Nicola Payne scored 31. Frances King had another good day with the ball, taking 4-33 and Fiona Stickney took 3-25.

Stickney led the Wellington batting effort with her 44 while Amanda Cooper scored 25 and Maia Lewis 20. Sarah Burke took 3-31 and Fraser 2-30.

Otago had a big day out at Palmerston North and scored 249 in their 50 overs with Rowan Milburn scoring 82 and Clare Taylor 52. They had a 139-run stand for the third wicket. Kate Pulford took 2-30 from 10 overs while Abbie Burns took 2-38 from nine overs.

Pulford continued to play a crucial role for CD as they cruised to a four wicket win by reaching 250/9.

She went to the wicket at the fall of CD's first wicket in the second over, and was out for 141, run out, when seven runs remained to win.

It was a chanceless innings and included a 91-run fourth wicket stand of 91 with Emily Travers, who scored 19. Aimee Mason scored 21 not out and Cindy Forsyth 17. Rachel Pullar was the best of the Otago bowlers with 0-29 off nine overs.

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