Central Districts beat Canterbury as Will Young and Curtis Heaphy break Ford Trophy records.
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Heaphy Seal Ford Trophy
Could you stand in a crouch for three hours, take the physical toll of 300 deliveries, and then immediately outshine a world-class international centurion?
Most athletes would collapse. Curtis Heaphy just got started.
When Dane Cleaver’s back gave out on the morning of the Ford Trophy final, the Stags didn’t just lose a keeper; they lost their tactical anchor. Heaphy stepped into the breach for a double shift that will be talked about in Napier and Nelson for decades.
The Heavyweight Exchange
Canterbury didn’t play poorly. In fact, Henry Nicholls was surgical. By reaching his fourth century of the 2025-26 summer, he didn’t just anchor the innings; he equaled the record for hundreds in a single Ford Trophy season. Along with Tom Latham’s 80, the “three-peat” seemed inevitable as they posted 302.
Then, Will Young and Curtis Heaphy walked out.
The Turning Points:
- The 19/1 Crisis: After losing Chad Bowes early, the Stags were wobbling.
- The 257-Run Wall: Young and Heaphy didn’t just bat; they demoralized. They broke the CD record for the second wicket, a partnership that lasted nearly 40 overs.
- The Young Masterclass: A career-best 157 off 132 balls. He was severe, particularly on Raunaq Kapur, proving that international experience is the ultimate currency in domestic finals.
Beyond the Boundaries: The Deep Dive
We often ignore the “mental fatigue” tax. Heaphy’s performance was an anomaly. After keeping for 50 overs—a job that requires thousand-fold micro-adjustments in focus—he transitioned to a 124-ball century.
“He’s learning his craft… he’s seriously good at occupying the crease,” Young remarked after the game.
This wasn’t a “hit-and-giggle” T20 innings. This was a 105-run testament to fitness. Heaphy used a “shimmy” technique, constantly moving out of his crease to force the Canterbury bowlers to abandon their lengths. It wasn’t just talent; it was psychological warfare.
Why the “Chase” Was Won in the Middle
Conventional wisdom says you win chases by keeping wickets in hand for a late explosion. The Stags flipped the script.
They realized the Basin Reserve deck was playing true, so they attacked the middle-over spin. By taking 36 runs off just 19 balls from Kapur, Young ensured the required run rate never became a ghost that haunted them.
Key Takeaways from the Stags’ Victory:
- Versatility wins titles: Heaphy’s ability to cover for Cleaver saved the team’s balance.
- Partnerships over Power: One massive stand is worth more than five cameos.
- Experience is King: Will Young’s drives and flicks weren’t just pretty; they were calculated risks that paid off.
As Dean Foxcroft tapped the winning runs to mid-on, it signaled more than just an eighth title for Central Districts.
It signaled the end of the Peter Fulton era for Canterbury and the rise of a new keeping-batting powerhouse in Heaphy. The Stags didn’t just beat Canterbury; they outworked them.