The Hobart Hurricanes will turn their attention to their WBBL title defence after wrapping up their Spring Challenge campaign in New South Wales.
The two-time defending champions opened the tournament with a victory over the ACT but were unable to maintain that momentum, suffering three consecutive defeats to miss out on a place in the finals.
However, there were plenty of encouraging signs from a relatively inexperienced Hurricanes outfit, with Kate Pelle and Ella Hayward among the standout performers across the four matches.
With star opener Lizelle Lee unavailable, Pelle was handed the responsibility of opening the batting and made the most of her opportunity.
The talented wicketkeeper-batter, who is currently without a WBBL contract, made an immediate impression with a match-winning 61 from 55 deliveries against the Meteors, striking four boundaries and two sixes to help secure a 27-run victory.
She backed up that performance with a 32-ball 43 against the Perth Scorchers, finishing the tournament with 136 runs across her four appearances.
Hayward also made a promising start to her Hurricanes career, contributing with both bat and ball throughout the competition.
The off-spinning all-rounder claimed 2-14 and scored 20 against the Meteors, before producing her best batting performance of the tournament with 38 from 34 deliveries against the Adelaide Strikers.
She followed that with an unbeaten 26 against the Scorchers, while also claiming a wicket in the same match.
Another bright spot was Queensland-based, Japanese representative Ayaka Kato-Stafford, who made the most of her opportunities with the ball in the final two matches.
The 16-year-old claimed outstanding figures of 4-19 against the Scorchers before the side’s only two wickets (2-26) against the Melbourne Renegades, finishing with six wickets from her three appearances.
The Hurricanes were without several established stars during the tournament, including Lee and Nicola Carey, while Lauren Smith remained sidelined through injury.
With the Spring Challenge now behind them, the Hurricanes will welcome back their experienced campaigners as preparations intensify for their WBBL title defence, which starts next Thursday against the Melbourne Stars.