Kruger van Wyk of the Central Stags. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times
The Northern Knights have beaten the Central Stags by six wickets in their HRV Cup match at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
The Stags were held to 149 for six in their twenty overs, despite a lively 64 from Carl Cachopa. Knights' import Steven Croft once again showed his value with
an unbeaten 59 to play out the win with five balls to spare.
Their pursuit though started shakily, with three quick wickets reducing the Knights to 20 for three after 3.4 overs.
A timely fourth wicket partnership of 80 between Scott Styris (46) and Croft brought the Knights back to be 100 for three in the 14th over, until the former fell lbw to Ben Wheeler.
Alongside fellow Englishman James Foster, Croft saw out the match and in doing so made it back to back half-centuries in the HRV Cup. Foster also played his part with a quick-fire 26 from 12.
Earlier, the Stags had won the toss and opted to bat, but struggled from the outset.
A sustained period of dot balls and singles built pressure on the top-order, which the Knights then took advantage of with four quick wickets.
