Umpires Graham Begg & Geoff Talbott head to wicket to begin Placemakers T20 match.
Celtic warmed up for their Twenty- 20 club cricket final against Timaru next week with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Temuka in the last round-robin match at Aorangi Oval last night.
A superb spell of bowling from Celtic’s Willie Scott, who managed three for seven from four overs, including a maiden, stifled the early momentum of the Temuka batsmen and swung the match in the defending champions’ favour.
Temuka were dismissed in the 19th over for 94, a target which was easily chased down by Celtic with eight overs to spare.
Temuka’s choice to bat first seemed a good one early, as they travelled at eight-runs-an-over for the first five overs.
New recruit and former Northern Districts batsman Nick Horsley showed he was a cut above the rest of his team with the bat in making a breezy 26, illustrating his power off both the front and back foot.
Temuka bat first on a sunny evening
However, when he departed after spooning a catch to mid-on, the Temuka innings lost momentum.
Some lusty hitting from Tom McKnight (18) got the Magpies closer to three figures.
Scott was supported by Glenn Matthews and Mark Tutton, who each took two wickets, to force Temuka into submission.
Celtic were at their belligerent best during their extra-keen run chase.
Openers Craig Davies (44) and Jacob Naylor (32) punished any loose bowling and were assisted by two no-ball free hits.
Both eventually had their stumps disturbed, but by then the job was done, and in double-quick time.
Les Humphris and Tom McKnight grabbed the consolation wickets for Temuka.
The final between Celtic and Timaru will be played at Aorangi Oval next Friday at 5.30pm.
Craig Davies turns down a run for Celtic
Temuka have a mid-wicket conference after Tom McKnight makes a breakthrough