Celtic win inaugural Second Grade T20 competition.

Andy Craig hits another six during his quickfire 67 - note eyes in line with shot and ball - this was not always the case!

The Timaru & Celtic Second Grade sides played each other in the final of the Second Grade Twenty20 competition today. In perhaps a first, the final was played on South Canterbury’s main ground at Aorangi Oval giving many of the players an opportunity to play at a ground where they are normally only spectators.

For this occasion they also had two official umpires with Geoff Talbot and Kim Cotton officiating to add to the day.

Celtic batted first with Andy Craig openuing and setting the pace with 67 runs and bringing up his 50 off only 21 balls. Jamie McLaren (Celtic captain) batted through to the end to be next best with 34 not out and Celtic eventually scored 149-9 from their 20 overs.

While Celtic ended up with a good total, J Stevenson still had impressive bowling figures taking 4-11 from his 4 overs.

In reply Timaru set off on the run chase steadily but then lost two wickets when the score was 15. A half century third wicket partnership got Timaru back in the hunt,and the next 2 partnerships of 17 and 35 kept them well in the hunt, especially while Tim Mackle was at the wicket.

However, a bowling change with 4 overs left changed the game as McLaren brought himself on and picked up Mackle for 65 and tow other batsmen as he took 3-5, and with 10 runs an over still required the task became more difficult until Timaru reached the final over needing 15 and in the end lost their final wickets to be all out 14 runs short.

Scoreboard