Manawatu Standard

Coastal Challenger­s Levin claim crown

- George Heagney

Coastal Challenger­s Levin captain Jesswatkin was stoked with winning the Twenty20 title in the inaugural Central Super League, but also with giving young players a crack at the next level.

The Coastal Challenger­s won the Twenty20 leg of the competitio­n at Levin’s Donnelly Park at the weekend, the second leg of the competitio­n after one-dayers were held in Palmerston North before Christmas.

The Central Districts franchiseb­ased competitio­n started this summer to close the gap between associatio­n cricket and the Central Hinds for young players.

The Coastal Challenger­s, who have a handful of teenagers in their ranks, beat the Palmerston North Tu¯¯ı by 19 runs and the Tararua Kotahi by seven wickets in their two games on Saturday. In the virtual final against the New Plymouth Power on Sunday, the Levin team won by eight wickets.

New Plymouth scored 142-5 batting first, with Emily Cunningham scoring 77 not out and Rosemary Mair making 31 not.

The Coastal Challenger­s reached 145-2 in 16.3 overs, wherewatki­n hit 93 not out from 62 balls. She said she didn’t know she had been that close to a century, but wasn’t bothered.

Watkin was happy her side hadn’t lost a game and had done a good job developing young players.

‘‘It’s really exciting to see the amount of young talent we have coming through to get experience against some of the Hinds.’’

Watkin said the super league had been a success and looked forward to what happened next season.

She said the Power probably had a better bowling lineup, but the Challenger­s’ stronger batting lineup helped them come out on top in the decider. The Power had New Zealand bowler Rosemary Mair in their side, but she was on limited bowling loads.

Against the Tu¯¯ı, the Challenger­s scored 145-3 where Kerry Tomlinson scored 37 not out and Emma Findlay scored 34 not out. The Tu¯¯ı could only muster 126-7 in reply, with Georgia Atkinson scoring 75. Kate Baxter and Amy Johnson took two wickets each.

In the second game, Tararua Kotahi scored only 99-9, where Watkin took 4-11 with her spin. Anna Gaging and Aniela Apperley took two wickets apiece.

Watkin then scored 49 as the Challenger­s reached 103-3 in 12.4 overs. Tomlinson made 34 not out.

The win over Tu¯¯ı was an important one, after the two sides had wins at the one-day weekend.

In the other games on Saturday, Power (135-2) beat Kotahi (134-7) by eight wickets and Power (126-5) beat Tu¯¯ı (124-5) by five wickets.

In the other game on Sunday, Tu¯¯ı (132-2) beat Kotahi (130-7) by eight wickets.

 ?? PHOTOS: WARREN HERBERT ?? Coastal Challenger­s Levin captain Jess Watkin, right, had a fruitful weekend with the bat at the central Super League twenty20 tournament.
PHOTOS: WARREN HERBERT Coastal Challenger­s Levin captain Jess Watkin, right, had a fruitful weekend with the bat at the central Super League twenty20 tournament.
 ??  ?? The Coastal Challenger­s Levin after winning the Twenty20 competitio­n.
The Coastal Challenger­s Levin after winning the Twenty20 competitio­n.

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