The Devon Hotel Central Stags overcame a host of early woe to nail a tense T20 cricket chase at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth tonight - thanks in no small part to a breakthrough innings by 18-year-old all-rounder Josh Clarkson.
The powerful Clarkson, brushing off light rain, slammed four impressive sixes in his 48-ball unbeaten 64 - a vital maiden half-century in just his third Georgie Pie Super Smash outing, which also earned him the Cricket Express MVP.
It wasn't all brute power, the youngster requiring the odd deft fend against a well-marshalled Auckland Aces attack. But when the ball was there to be hit, he delivered - and assisting him at the death was Marty Kain (19* off 7), who joined in with two sixes and a four to ruin an otherwise good night for Lockie Ferguson - and the Aces attack overall - as the Stags got up against the odds with an over in hand.
The Stags had been chasing 135 after sending the Aces in. Youngster Robbie O'Donnell had combined with captain Rob Nicol in a run-a-ball 65-run stand for the fifth wicket, and was rewarded with a half-century on his Georgie Pie Super Smash debut, off just 45 balls.
Stags quick Adam Milne, playing his first game of the competition, made a spectacular start as he bowled Jeet Raval in his first over, but it was fellow paceman Andy Mathieson who had the biggest impact. Quickly regathering his composure after being slugged by Nicol for six off his first ball, Mathieson's 3-18 included a rare T20 maiden. In his previous over, he had sent the two Colins - Munro and de Grandhomme - back to the changing rooms in the space of three balls, and he finally had his revenge against Nicol as he came back at the death to have him caught on 39.
