Northern Brave Women produced a dominant all-round performance in Hamilton as they outplayed Canterbury Magicians by a massive 105 runs in the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 clash on January 8. What first looked like a contest slowly turned completely one-sided, led by a scintillating Tash Wakelin half-century and a ruthless bowling display.
The innings began quietly for the Brave as Jess Watkin fell early for 5 off 3 balls, bowled by Melissa Banks, leaving Northern Brave 10/1 inside the first over. The pressure increased when Caitlin Gurrey departed for a three-ball duck, also to Banks, putting the Brave in trouble at 24/2 inside 3 overs. But what followed was a game-changing partnership and a batting masterclass.
Tash Wakelin took full responsibility, initially rebuilding with Eve Wollond, who scored 3 off 10 before being run out through smart work by Lea Tahuhu and keeper Darcy Prasad. With the scoreboard at 39/3, Northern Brave still needed momentum, and it came through Wakelin’s aggressive stroke play. Her 86* off 52 balls, laced with 14 boundaries, became the centrepiece of the innings and the standout knock of the match.
Wakelin found support through small but valuable contributions. Nensi Patel added 16 off 21 balls before stumped off Kate Anderson’s bowling, while Marina Lamplough played a lively hand with 27 off 19, striking three fours and a six before Tahuhu trapped her lbw. At 139/6, the Brave were well set to push past 160. Late order efforts, Carol Agafili’s 5 off 3 and Kayley Knight’s unbeaten 18 off 9, propelled Northern Brave to a formidable 171/7 in 20 overs.
Canterbury Magicians’ bowling card reflected the onslaught. Melissa Banks was the pick with 2/29 from four, while skipper Lea Tahuhu returned 2/35 in three. Sarah Asmussen (1/20), Kate Anderson (1/19), Abigail Hotton and Gabby Sullivan all put in shifts but struggled to contain Brave’s run flow.
Needing 172 to win, Canterbury Magicians never settled into the chase. The powerplay was brutal as Marama Downes removed Kate Anderson (1) and Izzy Sharp (0) while Lucy Boucher dismissed Kate Irwin (1), reducing the Magicians to 3-2 inside two overs, a collapse that set the tone. Jodie Dean’s short-lived 4, sent back by Boucher, made it 15/4, while Abigale Gerken ended up stumped off Downes. Canterbury found themselves in deep trouble at 22/5 inside 5 overs.
Only Darcy Prasad showed resistance with 17 from 24 balls, striking a lone boundary before falling to Patel at 50/7. Captain Tahuhu battled for 12 from 14 but found no support as wickets continued to tumble rapidly. Northern Brave bowlers maintained relentless pressure, and the Magicians were eventually bowled out for 66 in just 14.5 overs, losing by a massive 105-run margin.
The innings was dismantled by a collective assault spearheaded by Marama Downes’ stunning 4/11 from 3.5 overs, supported by Lucy Boucher’s 2/27, Nensi Patel’s 2/2, and Kayley Knight’s tidy 1/13. Captain Jess Watkin bowled economically too, conceding just 13 runs in her two overs.
In the context of the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 standings, this emphatic win boosts Brave’s momentum and net run rate, while Canterbury Magicians are left searching for answers after suffering one of the biggest defeats of the season.
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