The Hallyburton Johnstone Shield is one of the oldest NZC oldest trophies, dating back to the mid 1930’s. Today the time-honoured cricket prize is played with a white ball in a fifty over per side competition.

 

Canterbury Magicians won the toss in Saturday's opening encounter and were bowled out for 175. Izzy Sharp was the best of the visitor’s batters with 45 at tad under a run an over. Jesse Prasad grabbed three wickets for 25 runs while Nensi Patel and Kaley Knight chipped in with two wickets each.

 

Local Western Bay of Plenty all-rounder, Nensi Patel (46) and Caitlin Gurrey (46), combined to put the home side in a strong position with a 55 run second wicket stand.

 

The Canterbury team came back with a determined attack on the ND lower order before Lucy Boucher hit a match winning 23 not out from 29 balls.

 

Northern Districts entered the second contest with plenty of confidence after their first-up two wicket win.

 

The hosts took full advantage of winning the toss in the day/night affair and scored at better than five runs an over. Caitlin Gurrey and Jesse Watkins came together with their side in a little trouble at 25/2.

 

Caitlin Gurrey, who holds the Bay Oval highest women's cricket score of 183, took on the Canterbury bowlers to belt 86 runs before dismissal. Gurrey’s innings contained nine 4’s in her eleventh List A half-century. Jesse Watkin was equally defiant posting 56 runs in the 128 run partnership.

 

Northern Districts held the upper hand in the cricket battle after registering 260 for eight, in their allotted fifty overs.

 

Canterbury Magicians were bowled out for 200, in the 44th over, to give Northern Districts Women back to back wins in the Hallyburton Johnstone title race. Jacinta Savage top scored with 52, while Frankie Mackay brought up five thousand List A runs in the Canterbury strip. Marama Downes took four wickets at a cost of 44 runs with Jesse Watkin returning 3/32.

 

The two NZC Major Association Women’s games, kick-starts a Summer of Top Class Cricket at the Bay Oval, which encompasses Test and ODI matches along with a schedule of NZC Major Association games.

 

The undoubted highlight is the fifth ICC Test Match to be staged at the Bay Oval. South Africa, who were the first ICC major international team to play at the then emerging Bay Oval (in two ODI’s) in 2014, will provide a very big challenge for the Black Caps 4th-8th February 2024.

 

NZC Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Matches at Bay Oval 9/10 Dec 2023

Match One,  9th December

Canterbury Magicians 175 (IG Sharp 45; Jesse Prasad 3/25, Nensi Patel 2/31, Kaley Knight 2/22) lost to ND Women 178/8 (Nensi Patel 46, Caitlin Gurrey 46)

Match Two, 10th December

ND Women 260/8 (Caitlin Gurrey 86, Jesse Watkin 56; Y Cullen 3/38, FL Mackay 3/45) defeated ND Women 200 (JL Savage 52; Marama Downes 4/44, Jess Watkin 3/28)

 

Bay Oval International/Major Association 2023-24 Schedule

29 December 2023 - ODI - Black Caps v Bangladesh

31 December 2023 - ODI – Black Caps v Bangladesh

2 January 2024 - NZC Super Smash – Northern Brave v Wellington Blaze/Firebirds

12 January 2024 - NZC Super Smash – Northern Brave v Auckland Hearts/Aces

20 January 2024 - Black Clash – Team Cricket v Team Rugby

4-8 February 2024 - ICC Test Match - Black Caps v South Africa

18 February- NZC Ford Trophy - Northern Districts v Canterbury

29 Feb-3 March 2024 - Plunket Shield - Northern Districts v Central Districts