The Ford Trophy match between the Sky City Northern Knights and Canterbury played at the Bay Oval at Mount Maunganui yesterday was an absolute thriller that went down to the wire.
The Knights clinched the victory with just two balls to spare and with three wickets in hand, thanks to the steady nerve of Black Caps keeper/batsman BJ Watling who finished 47 not out off 40 balls.
Canterbury won the toss and elected to bat first. The first Canterbury wicket fell at the 22-run mark and they were in trouble at five down with just 84 runs on the board.
However, a sterling partnership between Canterbury captain Andrew Ellis and Cameron Fletcher was worth 88 runs. The visitors reached 172/6 when Fletcher was bowled by Anton Devcich for 41. Canterbury finished their 50 overs at 251/8, with Ellis stranded on 96 , needing a four of the last ball for his century.
The best Knights bowler was Mount Maunganui and Bay of Plenty quick Tony Goodin, who bowled with genuine pace to grab 3/36. Cody Andrews and Anton Devcich both took two wickets apiece, with Mitchell Santner returned to the Knights from Black Cap duty taking the key wicket of Peter Fulton.
