Wellington Blaze and Canterbury Magicians produced a thrilling contest in the Women’s Super Smash 2026, with the hosts defending a modest total in a tense finish to secure a narrow six-run victory in Christchurch. The match swung back and forth, with key partnerships, timely wickets, and disciplined bowling spells shaping the outcome in a gripping encounter.
Wellington Blaze began their innings with intent as Georgia Plimmer and Rebecca Burns looked to establish early momentum. The pair added a steady 42-run opening partnership before Plimmer was dismissed for 16 off 13 balls, caught off Melissa Banks’ bowling. Burns continued to anchor the innings, striking 32 off 26 deliveries with six boundaries, before falling leg-before to Lauren Smith, leaving Wellington Blaze at 57/2 in the 7.2 overs.
Jess Kerr joined Hannah Francis, but the middle overs saw Canterbury claw back control through disciplined bowling. Francis contributed 6 off 6 balls before being bowled by Sarah Asmussen, while Kerr made 9 off 9 balls before being caught off Banks. With wickets falling, Xara Jetly struggled for fluency, scoring 4 off 12 balls before being caught off Asmussen’s bowling, and Jessica McFadyen departed for 3 off 5 balls, lbw to Stella Cornelius.
Sam Mackinder tried to rebuild the innings, adding a valuable 12 off 15 balls, but was run out following a mix-up. The late innings revival came from Jessica Simmons, who struck 24 off 23 balls with two fours and a six, helping Wellington cross the 130-run mark. Nicole Baird (7* off 6) and Rachel Bryant (4* off 2) added useful finishing touches, while extras contributed 12 runs. Wellington ended with 130/9 in their 20 overs, a total built on small but crucial partnerships, including Burns and Plimmer’s opening stand and Simmons’ late contribution.
Canterbury Magicians bowling unit shared the spoils, with Sarah Asmussen delivering an impressive spell of 3 for 19 in her four overs, while Lauren Smith and Melissa Banks picked up two wickets each. Stella Cornelius chipped in with one wicket, and Lea Tahuhu bowled a tight spell despite going wicketless.
In response, Canterbury Magicians’ chase began cautiously, with Naomi Stalenberg and Kate Anderson opening the innings. Stalenberg scored 4 off 4 balls before being dismissed by Jess Kerr, but Anderson held the innings together with a patient 35 off 41 deliveries. Izzy Sharp injected momentum, scoring a brisk 26 off 17 balls with five boundaries, as the duo added a crucial partnership to keep the Magicians in the hunt.
Jodie Dean added 21 off 21 balls to stabilise the middle order, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Kate Irwin was dismissed for 2, while captain Lea Tahuhu made 5 before being removed by Hannah Francis. Lauren Smith played a handy cameo of 20* off 16 balls with a six, while Melissa Banks added 5 before being run out in the final over. Abigale Gerken remained unbeaten on 1, but Canterbury ultimately fell short at 124/7.
Wellington Blaze’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, with Hannah Francis leading the attack with 3 wickets for 18 runs. Jess Kerr and Xara Jetly picked up one wicket each, while Nicole Baird bowled economically and claimed a crucial breakthrough. Despite conceding runs at the death, Wellington Blaze’s bowlers held their nerve in the final overs to defend the total.
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