New WHITE FERN Thamsyn Newton produced her all-round magic in round two the Women's Twenty20, helping her side down defending champions the Wellington Blaze.
Twenty-year-old rising star Newton hit an unbeaten half century to steer Canterbury to a five-wicket victory at Lincoln's Bert Sutcliffe Oval, and earlier had picked up the prize wicket of Blaze captain Sophie Devine, when the WHITE FERNS star was just one shy of a half-century.
Set 103 to win, the Magicians had lost Frances Mackay and Erin Bermingham in the opening stages, but Newton, batting at four, and skipper Amy Satterthwaite consolidated with 54 for the third wicket.
When the experienced Satterthwaite was dismissed on 26, a further 35 was needed from six overs, and Newton went after them in picket-rattling style, a knock studded with 10 boundaries ensuring the Magicians reached their target with five wickets and 14 balls to spare
Legspinner Bermingham shone with the ball for the Magicians, capturing the key wicket of destructive opener Rachel Priest amid her 2-17 off four.
Devine top-scored for the Blaze with 47, but a lack of support cost the win.
