Auckland Hearts really shone under the lights in the Women’s Super Smash 2025-26 as they notched up a solid 7-wicket victory over Canterbury Magicians at Eden Park Outer Oval. This win further established their position at the top of the table. The match unfolded smoothly in Auckland’s favour, first displaying a strong bowling performance, followed by an impressive batting display anchored by Player of the Match, Prue Catton, who scored a composed 42*.
Canterbury Magicians sent into bat, struggled to find their rhythm from the start. They approached their innings cautiously, but Auckland made an immediate impact as Bree Illing dismissed Abigale Gerken for a duck just four balls in, leaving Canterbury trembling at 1/1. Illing quickly added to their woes by removing Kate Anderson, and suddenly Canterbury was in trouble at 2/6 within three overs, which highlighted Auckland’s disciplined bowling attack.
Izzy Sharp tried to stabilise the innings with a brief 16-ball contribution of 8 runs, but her resistance ended when Amie Hucker took her wicket. At 3/26, Canterbury needed someone to anchor the innings, and that role was taken on by skipper Lea Tahuhu, who played an aggressive 26 off 25 balls, bringing some much-needed energy. She briefly partnered with Jodie Dean, who scored 14 off 12, pushing the score forward in what was Canterbury’s only meaningful partnership of the innings.
However, once Tahuhu fell to Maddy Green at 5/59, the innings fell apart. Green was superb that day, finishing with figures of 3/16 from four overs, leading an exceptional bowling effort from Auckland alongside Illing (2/17) and Bella Armstrong (1/16). Halliday and Penfold also bowled well, limiting Canterbury’s scoring options. The team ultimately struggled to 93 all out in just 18 overs, with three runouts highlighting Auckland’s sharpness in the field.
Chasing down 94 runs seemed manageable, but Auckland faced an early setback when Isabella Gaze was dismissed for a duck by Lauren Smith, leaving them at 1/0. That’s when Prue Catton really settled in, batting with patience and maturity. Skipper Maddy Green provided some quick runs with a brisk 12 off 13 balls, bringing the score to 23/2 before she got out, caught smartly by Sharp off Melissa Banks. At 2/23, Canterbury sensed an opening, but Catton stood firm.
She received great support from Brooke Halliday, who scored a confident 18 off 17 before falling to Sarah Asmussen when the score was 64/3. That wicket came a bit too late for Canterbury. Catton, along with Lauren Down, maintained their composure, and Down’s fluent 18* off just 14 balls ensured Auckland completed the chase with 14 balls to spare, finishing at 94/3 in 15.4 overs.
Canterbury’s bowlers fought hard; Smith (1/21), Banks (1/15), and Asmussen (1/13) all kept things respectable, but defending 93 runs was always going to be a tall order against a composed Auckland side.
Ultimately, it was a complete team effort from Auckland Hearts, disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and a steady chase led by the standout Prue Catton made for a win that keeps them firmly in the hunt for Super Smash glory.
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