Taranaki North Come Away with a Comfortable Win at Taranaki Cricket’s Historic North vs South Origin Challenge

Sammy Fastier hit a cracking century and Fianlay Barnes took an impressive five wicket bag to lead their North side to a comfortable win over South at Pukekura Park today.
After two seasons of Southern dominance, the Northerners reclaimed the Origin Challenge Shield in commanding fashion.
With North captain Jordan Gard winning the toss and opting to bat, the early wicket of his brother Josh was the only real time the Northerners were under pressure as Fastier (114 not out) strode to the crease and joined Bailey Wisnewski (95) in a match winning 163-run partnership. With Jacob Leuthard-Richards icing the innings with an explosive 42 not out off just 17 balls, the Northerners were able to set a formidable total of 278/5 off 40 overs.
Requiring almost 7 an over from the beginning of the chase, regular wickets meant the Southerners were never able to find any momentum and when Barnes struck three times in the 10th over leaving the Southerners 48/4, the chase looked a bridge too far. A 58-run partnership between Christopher Coombe (22) and Tinashe Chimbambo gave the South a glimmer of hope, but once Chimbambo retired hurt on 65, the tail folded cheaply and North finished off their 145-run win in the 27th over.
Congratulations to the North team on their win!
Full match details are available here at PlayHQ