Cricket: Last-over victory puts Canterbury in final

By TERRY MADDAFORD

There was all the drama which only a one-day game can bring before a plucky Canterbury side beat Northern Districts by two wickets with three balls to spare in Hamilton last night.

Chasing a modest 210-run winning target in the State Shield semifinal at WestpacTrust Park, the southerners took it right to the wire after they had threatened at one stage to win at a canter.

Their first win over Northern Districts this season earned Canterbury a place in Saturday's final against competition pacesetters Wellington.

From the early stages of the Northern innings, when Chris Martin quietly handed the New Zealand selectors a subtle reminder that he is primed and ready for an international recall, there was a feeling it was never going to be a high-scoring match.

Stephen Cunis struck first for the visitors, removing Simon Doull. Martin took out dangerman Michael Parlane, calmly caught at backward point by Aaron Redmond, for one.

Darron Reekers ended Northern's third-wicket partnership of 77, the biggest of the innings, with wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins picking up the first of four dismissals in catching James Marshall for 42.

Cleighten Cornelius then celebrated his debut at this level with his first wicket, a simple caught-and-bowled, when Hamish Marshall failed to deal with a full toss.

Back came Martin with almost instant success.

Just as Grant Bradburn appeared ready to kick-start the home team's fightback, he was caught by Hopkins.

Six runs later Jaden Hatwell followed in the same manner.

A total of 154 for six soon became 164 for seven when top-scorer Matthew Hart was easily stumped by Hopkins for 67.

Northern were in trouble and wishing, no doubt, Hopkins had not turned his back on the association for which he had first played.

Martin ended his 10 overs with four for 44 and was well-supported by Cornelius and Reekers with a couple each.

Defending what always appeared an attainable total, Joseph Yovich, sharing the new ball with Daryl Tuffey, struggled. While Tuffey conceded just six runs from his first five overs, Yovich went for 29 as Canterbury openers Paul Wiseman and Shannan Stewart helped themselves to 42.

The home side had their first success 20 runs later, but rarely looked likely to break through.

Stewart was impressive in posting his first-half century at this level.

And happy to take the initiative against the uncertain Northern attack, Stewart, a standout at under-19 level last season, made the transition from opening in bright sunlight to batting under the lights with no perceived problems.

Matthew Hart, was again the best of the ND attack, but lacked the support needed to rein the visitors in.

Graeme Aldridge did come back strongly, however, in removing Aaron Redmond and then Stewart, caught at the wicket for a well-compiled 76, to have the visitors 171 for five with nine overs to bowl.

But Hart was not done with. He bowled Reekers for four. At 184 for six Canterbury still held sway, but when Simon Doull chased and hurled a return to Robbie Hart who ran out Hopkins, the nerves started to jangle.

Without addition, Hart then took a diving catch to remove Carl Anderson and give Tuffey a richly-deserved first wicket.

Down to the last over. Four runs to win, two wickets in hand. Two for Cornelius, a swing and a miss, a single and then the match-winning boundary for Stephen Cunis.