Union swept aside Oamaru by seven wickets to claim North Otago senior club cricket's Brydone Borton Cup at King George Park yesterday.
Oamaru's tail-enders fought valiantly and hauled their team from a dramatic collapse to get through to 118. However Union played as it has from the opening of the season and cruised through to win in the 34th over.
The game was due to be played on Saturday but rained forced a postponement. While the wicket had been covered, water had seeped through making it damp in places.
Union won the toss and sent Oamaru in to bat. The wicket produced plenty of turn early on and with pacemen Neil Rushton and Richard Sidon bowling with superb pace and line, Oamaru's top order was soon in shreds.
A collapse impressive even by Oamaru standards saw it reeling at five for 12, six for 23 and then seven for 32. With those in the clubrooms cringing at the sound of Tragedy and REM's Everybody Hurts, embarrassment came form the underdogs.
But as in last week's semi-final against Albion, Dene Allen stepped forward. Allen took total control blasting shots all around the ground to bring life to Oamaru's feeble innings.
He smashed six fours and a thundering six in his brief spell at the crease, sending a shimmer of hope through the Oamaru camp which by the end of the day had produced five ducks. He was caught by Sidon on the boundary off Mark Wilson for 47.< /p>
Youngster Mike Aker provided the surprise support for Allen, and remained unbeaten at the crease on 34 when Oamaru was all out in the 27th over. Aker struck three fours and a six.
Rushton finished with figures of four for 38 off 10 and Sidon three for 25 off six. Wilson took the other two wickets conceding 26 runs from seven overs.
In reply, Union coasted through to victory. At the loss of opener Paul Beare for six, Glynn Cameron and Duncan Drew put on a 48-run stand for the second wicket until Drew was clean- bowled by Stu Dean for 45.
Cameron (32) was looking in fine form until he skied a ball to Jason Greaney at backward deep square off the bowling of Mark Julius. His innings included a massive six down the ground and over the northern boundary.
Mark Wilson finished the job for Union and remained unbeaten on 31 with Peter Cameron yet to score.
Oamaru captain Gerry Cunningham admitted his side was "always up against" it but believed winning the toss would have made a significant difference for Oamaru.
"If we had won the toss it could've been different but you can't always rely on that. Once again we toppled. We fielded all-right, and created chances. We're still pretty happy with our season overall".
"It was typical Union - they're such a good side and they played like it," he said.
Union skipper Peter Cameron put the win down to the sides all-round solidity.
"There was always a chance of us losing, but we've got a good all-round team with plenty of depth. We would have been gutted if we'd lost. We've played well all season and if you win all season you shouldn't be able to lose on the day," he said.
Short Scorecard(s)
Senior - Borton Cup - Final
Oamaru Senior vs Union Senior at King George Park
Oamaru Senior 118 ( D. Allen 47, M. Aker 34no, N.W. Rushton 4-38, R. Sidon 3-25, M. Wilson 2-26 )
Union Senior 119-3 ( D.J. Drew 45, G.R. Cameron 32, M. Wilson 31no, M. Julius 2-38 )
Union by 7 wickets
Full scorecard for the match