In a tense afternoon at Napier, Central Hinds Women held their nerve to snatch a thrilling three-wicket win over Northern Brave Women in the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26, a match defined by tight bowling, collapses, and one side just keeping its composure better at the death.
Northern Brave Women walked out knowing their season depended on getting runs on the board, but from the very first over, they found themselves under pressure. Opener Tash Wakelin managed just 4 off 5 before Rosemary Mair made the early breakthrough, knocking back her stumps at 1-6. The strike sent a wave of uncertainty across the top order, and Mair doubled down minutes later, removing captain Jess Watkin for 3 off 7, leaving the Brave reeling at 2-12 in just 3.1 overs.
The innings stabilised when Eve Wollond (24 off 31) and Caitlin Gurrey (19 off 26) came together. Their partnership pushed the total into the 50s, with Wollond showing patience and two valuable boundaries. Gurrey, too, played with control, rotating strike and absorbing pressure. But just as Northern Brave appeared to settle, Central Hinds struck again, Ashstuti Kumar removed Wollond at 3-53, and Gurrey soon followed at 4-57, caught off Devonshire.
From there, the collapse resumed. Nensi Patel (6), Marina Lamplough (2), and Holly Topp (1) fell in quick succession, all beaten by the relentless spin and seam combination. Kayley Knight injected late spark with a fast 13* off 13, but wickets tumbled around her, Skye Bowden (2), Lucy Boucher (2), before ND were bundled out for 82 in 17.4 overs.
Central Hinds’ bowlers dominated every phase. Rosemary Mair was unstoppable with 4/11, ripping through the order and earning Player of the Match. Ashstuti Kumar backed her brilliantly with 4/13, while Flora Devonshire also chipped in at crucial junctures.
Chasing 83, Central Hinds lost early wickets of their own. Bryony Smith (12 off 10) flashed briefly before Lamplough removed her at 1-14. Wollond effected a sharp run-out of Emma McLeod (2), and Jess Watkin dismissed Devonshire (4), leaving the Hinds at 3-21 and the contest suddenly wide open.
But captain Hannah Rowe anchored the chase, playing the calm innings the match needed, 23* off 38, guiding from one end while the batting order rotated around her. Kerry-Anne Tomlinson chipped in 14 off 19, offering the stand that pulled the total past 40. Even when wickets continued to fall, Rosemary Mair for 0 and Cate Pedersen for 19 off 19, Rowe stood firm alongside keeper Kate Gaging (2*), eventually getting the Hinds over the line at 83/7 in 18.2 overs, with 10 balls to spare.
Northern Hinds bowlers fought valiantly, Marama Downes 3/10, Kayley Knight 2/20, and Jess Watkin 1/19 all kept their side in it, but a low total left too little to defend. In the end, Central Hinds collected two vital points and moved second on the table, thanks largely to Mair’s magical spell, Rowe’s composure under pressure, and a chase that refused to panic, proof again that in the Super Smash, even small totals can deliver gripping cricket.
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