The 21st Match of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HJS) 2025-26 at Christchurch unfolded as a gripping one-day contest between Canterbury Magicians and Northern Brave, with momentum swinging in phases before the Brave sealed a convincing three-wicket win. On a surface that demanded patience, the Magicians’ innings never quite found sustained rhythm, and the Brave chased with composure, led by a captain’s knock that anchored the pursuit.
Canterbury Magicians’ innings began cautiously but quickly ran into trouble. Kate Anderson, leading from the front, struggled to break free and was bowled by Marama Downes for 2 off 18 balls, leaving the hosts 1-9 in the 4.6th over. Kate Chandler attempted to rebuild alongside Darcy Prasad but scoring remained laboured. Chandler’s 4 from 17 balls ended when she was caught by Jess Watkin off Lucy Boucher at 2-15 in 5.5 overs. The early blows put pressure on Prasad and Izzy Sharp, who stitched together a steady partnership to stabilise the innings.
Prasad (17 off 38) and Sharp (30 off 61) added valuable runs for the third wicket, taking Canterbury to 61 before Prasad was bowled by Nensi Patel at 19.2 overs. Sharp continued to occupy the crease, finding occasional boundaries, but she was trapped lbw by Jess Watkin at 5-79 in the 25.4th over. Jodie Dean’s brief 10 off 18 ended soon after, and when Lea Tahuhu departed for 17 (c & b Tash Wakelin), Canterbury were 6-111 in 32.1 overs.
Kate Irwin (20 off 38) and Sarah Asmussen (14 off 19) tried to inject urgency, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Irwin was caught off Wakelin at 7-122, while Melissa Banks (3) and Abigail Hotton (7) fell in quick succession. Asmussen became Wakelin’s third scalp when she was caught by Patel at 10-149 in 45.4 overs. Extras contributed 22 runs (including 20 wides), underlining Northern Brave’ occasional indiscipline, but Canterbury were bowled out for 149 in 45.4 overs at a run rate of 3.26.
Northern Brave’s bowling attack shared the spoils efficiently. Jess Watkin (10-0-34-3) was the standout, striking at crucial junctures. Tash Wakelin’s 3 for 20 in 4.4 overs dented the lower order, while Marama Downes (10-2-24-1) and Nensi Patel (10-2-21-1) maintained tight control. Lucy Boucher and Skye Bowden chipped in with a wicket each, ensuring Canterbury never built a match-defining partnership.
Chasing 150, the Brave began confidently but lost Yasmeen Kareem early for 2, bowled by Stella Cornelius at 1-9 (2.6 overs). Captain Jess Watkin then took command. Her authoritative 70 not out off 75 balls, featuring 11 boundaries, became the cornerstone of the chase. She found support from Tash Wakelin (21 off 11), whose brisk cameo lifted the scoring rate in a 50-run stand that shifted momentum decisively before Wakelin fell at 2-59.
Caitlin Gurrey (3) and Nensi Patel (12) departed in quick succession, with Sarah Asmussen and Lea Tahuhu striking back to momentarily revive Canterbury’s hopes. Marina Lamplough’s enterprising 12 off 7 added impetuses, but wickets at 5-119 and 6-122 created late tension. Holly Topp (1) and Skye Bowden (7) fell to Cornelius, who returned impressive figures of 7.3-0-36-3. Asmussen (4-0-33-2), Tahuhu (6-0-30-1), and Abigail Hotton (4-0-28-1) also made vital contributions with the ball.
Despite the stumbles, Watkin’s composure never wavered. Alongside Kayley Knight (7 not out), she ensured Northern Districts reached 151/7 in just 24.3 overs at a healthy run rate of 6.16, completing the chase with 153 balls remaining. The comprehensive victory not only highlighted the Brave’s depth in both batting and bowling but also underlined Jess Watkin’s all-round brilliance.
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