Nick Horsley’s 121 again led Temuka to victory
Celtic and Temuka are all but assured of contesting the senior one-day final next month after comprehensive wins on Saturday.
Temuka can thank Nick Horsley for almost single-handedly beating Timaru by four wickets at Ashbury Park four.
The former Northern Districts batsman took four for 44 with his spinners to help restrict Timaru to 194 for seven in their 45 overs, before he blazed 121 with the bat.
Celtic cruised to a 99-run against Waimate at Knottingley Park thanks to opening bowler Grant Watt’s five for 32 and a half century from Glenn Matthews.
Timaru did not help themselves in their efforts on Saturday when they were seemingly in control of the game
After removing two of Temuka’s three best batsmen, Ritchie Preston for 16 and Johnny Geddis for three, Timaru speedster Abhishek Baadkar had Horsley caught behind off a front-foot no-ball when he was on four.
Off the very next ball, Horsley offered a half-chance to gully.
He assumed control after that in a knock that included 13 fours and three sixes as he controlled the momentum of the run chase.
Earlier, Timaru had to settle for 194, which was, by their own admission, about 40 runs short of what they should have got.
Opener Dan Murari made a composed 76 which gave them a strong platform to attack in the latter overs, however Horsley’s consistent breakthroughs slowed their run rate.
And when Murari finally departed the damage was done as the run rate dropped away dramatically.
At Waimate, Matthews scored 54 and Craig Davies 48 as they put on 101 for the third wicket to help Celtic compile 202 for nine in their 45 overs against Waimate.
Veteran bowler Simon Murphy took four for 45, illustrating why his mid-season retirement from Hawke Cup cricket was a major blow for South Canterbury.
Waimate’s run-chase never got going as Watt wreaked havoc among the top order.
Watt was devastating as he dismissed five of the first six batsmen to come to the crease before the home team was rolled for just 103 inside 32 overs.