The Borton Cup club cricket final is finely balanced between Oamaru and Union after an enthralling first day of play at Awamoa Park on Saturday.
Both teams' premier players had dramatic effect on the day as Oamaru's David Sewell collected a five-wicket bag with some fiery quick bowling. But Union's Neil Rushton was not to be outdone as he spearheaded his teams recovery from the perilous position of 55 for six. Rushton made an invaluable, if not chanceless 41 not out, then picked up four wickets as Oamaru chased Union's modest total of 140.
Oamaru won the toss and didn't hesitate in asking Union to bat first. Both teams were to get the most out of their star players as Sewell, Rushton and fellow opener Union player Duncan Drew are likely to be selected for Otago's game against Central Districts next weekend.
Sewell grabbed the opportunity to bowl first and sent the Union top-order packing, quickly reducing them to 15 for four, including the vital wicket of captain Mark Wilson for a first-ball duck.
Glynn Cameron (11) and Regan George (17) pulled their side back from the brink of disaster, putting on 29 for the fifth wicket before George popped up an easy catch to Matt Slater at cover. It was inspiring captaincy from Andrew Sewell, who had moved his fielder from point the previous ball.
Rushton strode to the wicket at the fall of the sixth wicket with Union still in the mire at 55 for six, and after a patient start, began to smack the Oamaru attack to all corners of the Awamoa ground. Oamaru's cause wasn't helped by several dropped catches as Rushton, Anthony Cromwell (11), Paul Johnston (14) and Ray Gutsell (9) took the score through to 140.
Sewell ended the frustration for Oamaru, cannoning the ball into the stumps of last man Gutsell to finish with the impressive figures of five for 36 of 14.4 overs. He was well supported with some tight bowling from pace partner John Conlan and leg-spinner Shoruban Pasupati (three for35).
Opener Slater started the Oamaru innings with purpose, taking the score through to 21 before partner Gerry Cunningham edged a delivery to Cromwell at gully as Rushton began to fire up.
It was soon 23 for two as Stu Dean came and went, but Slater continued to dine out on some wayward Union bowling with support from Jamish Gandhi (13). The pair put on 40 for the third wicket before Gandhi guided a ball straight again into the hands of Cromwell.
The stutter become a fully-fledged stumble as Slater's dominant knock of 61 ended. It proceeded a mini-collapse as Oamaru let Union back into the contest. The home team went from 95 for three to 100 for six in the last 20 minutes of the day's play, and included the wicket of the in-form Pasupati for 14.
Rushton bowled an uninterrupted 15-over spell to resurrect his team's chances. He finished with four 33, while Wilson turned his day around with a tight spell returning two for 23 off seven overs.
The Borton Cup will be decided on first innings points if the game ends in a draw, so whoever takes the early initiative next Saturday afternoon could be odds on to win. The heat will be on the Oamaru captain Andrew Sewell who, with Robbie Duncan, will be at the crease when play resumes, but on the flipside Union will probably be without their trump card if Rushton is called up for provincial duty.
Short Scorecard(s)
Senior - Borton Cup - Final
Union Senior vs Oamaru Senior at Awamoa Park, Oamaru
Union Senior 140 ( N.W. Rushton 41no, R.J. George 17, P. Johnston 14, G.R. Cameron 11, A. Cromwell 11, D.G. Sewell 5-36, S. Pasupati 3-35 ) & 119-8dec ( R. George 21, D. Gard 17, A. Cromwell 17, M. Wilson 16, R. Coates 16no, T. Geeves 3-26, J. Conlan 2-65 )
Oamaru Senior 181 ( M. Slater 61, A. Sewell 41, A. Cocking 20, R. Duncan 15, S. Pasupati 14, J. Gandhi 13, N.W. Rushton 4-33, S. Ridley 2-25, M. Wilson 2-38, N. Donaldson 2-42 ) & 58-4 ( M. Slater 28, J. Gandhi 11, G. R. Cameron 2-35 )
First innings win to Oamaru
Full scorecard for the match