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Sport Nation
Central Stags claim Super Smash crown to continue Canterbury's Grand Final heartache
Sport Nation • February 2nd, 2025 7:40 pm
Photo: Photosport
The Centrals Stags have overcome the Canterbury Kings by six wickets to lift the Men's Super Smash crown for 2024/25.
After holding the star-studded Kings to 135/8, the Stags clinically pursued their target to win the domestic T20 title for the fourth time.
It's another heartbreaking result for the Cantabraians, who have now come up short in the last five consecutive finals and will rue a trio of dropped catches.
Dane Cleaver led the way for the Stags with 43 off 34 balls, while Tom Findlay was the best of the Stags bowlers, taking 3/39.
Super Smash Grand Finals Wrap I Sport Nation Cricket
After sending the Kings in to bat, the Stags made an excellent start, claiming the wickets of Mitch Hay and Matt Boyle inside the first three overs.
Daryl Mitchell and Cole McConchie set about diligently rebuilding the innings for the Kings, digging in for a lengthy stay at the crease.
That partnership was worth 59 runs before Cole McConchie (27) had his stumps expertly thrown down by Tom Bruce attempting a quick single, leaving Canterbury at 99/4 with just over five overs left in the innings.
In the 17th over, Mitchell holed out off a full toss from Toby Findlay, ending a crucial knock of 46 off 37 balls and dealing a blow to the King's chances of an above-par total.
Matt Henry swang hard down the stretch but regular wickets stifled the Cantabrians, as they closed at 135/8.
Tom Findlay was the best of the Stags bowlers with 3.39, while Brett Randell claimed 2/27.
Kyle Jamieson made his presence felt immediately with the ball, swinging a delivery through Jack Boyle's gate with his first delivery of the afternoon in a promising start to the Kings' defence.
Will Young and Cleaver then took to task, settling in for a critical partnership.
In the eighth over, the Kings missed a huge trick, with Young dropped by Zac Foulkes in the deep off Ish Sodhi with the score at 58/1.
With the equation a run a ball at the halfway stage of the Stags innings, Cleaver holed out to square leg for a key 43 off 36, Central still with eight wickets in hand.
In the 13th over, Will O'Rourke scored a big breakthrough for his side, sending Young (35 off 32 balls) packing to bring new batters to the crease with the score at 97/3.
But Tom Bruce eased any Stags nerves with consecutive boundaries off O'Rourke in an expensive 15th over, giving his side some breathing room.
Bruce wasn't able to see out the result, but it Will Clark and Curtis Heaphy comfortably brought the Stags home.
