Union moved into a commanding 25 point lead in the Borton Cup competition with an eight wicket win over St Kevin’s College. Waitaki Boys High School moved into second place with a 120 run win over Valley while Albion held on to defeat Eastern by a mere five runs.
St Kevin’s batted first against Union and looked comfortable at 87 for two before Ben Cant(37) and Brady Kingan(32) were dismissed. The remaining eight wickets produced a meager 27 runs as Paul Johnston ripped through the tail-enders taking five for 12 off just three overs including a hattrick. Glynn Cameron supported with two for 26. Duncan Drew (49) and Jason Todd(36 not out) saw Union make 116 for two with the winning runs coming in the 22nd over.
Waitaki Boys High School in a strong batting display made 278 for seven in its fifty over against Valley. Stephan Grobler(87) gave the innings momentum and Jake Greenslade(36), Lewy Johnston(75 not out) Kieran McLay(25 not out) and Nathan Smith(24) produced solid batting. Bowling for Valley Jared Ovens took four for 31 and Reuben Simpson, two for 52.
Valley was tottering at 90 for six after twenty two overs but Byron Neil(27), Hamish McKenzie(36) and Hamish Loe(34) saw Valley through to 158. Bowling for Waitaki Boys Grobler took three for 18 while Matt Haywood, Nathan Smith and Matt Munro took two wickets each.
Albion set Eastern the task of scoring 242 runs in fifty overs to firm Eastern’s place in the top four. Albion opener Steve Halliwell(68) gave the side a fine start and a rollicking 89 from Brad Kernahan gave the innings more substance with Marshall Smith adding a further 24 runs before the Albion innings closed at241 in the fiftieth over. Cameron Grubb(three for 32) and Warren Simpson(three for 59) were Eastern’s most successful bowlers. Eastern’s innings was shaking at 164 for six with Andrew Grubb(22) and Alex Brown(27) the major contributors. The tail wagged with Jeff Grubb(36) and Matt McLelland(61) flaying the Albion bowling before a series of unnecessary run outs saw the innings close at 236 in the forty ninth over.
Short Scorecard(s)
Senior - Borton Cup - Round 9
Eastern Senior vs Albion Senior at St Kevins Artifical 2
Albion Senior 241 ( B. Kernahan 89, S. Halliwell 68, M. Smith 24, C. Grubb 3-32, W. Simpson 3-59, M. McLelland 2-45 )
Eastern Senior 236 ( M. McLelland 61, J. Grubb 36, A. Brown 27, A. Grubb 22, J.B. Smith 4-31, M. Smith 4-48 )
Albion by 5 runs
Waitaki Boys 1st XI vs Valley Senior at Don Field Artifical
Waitaki Boys 1st XI 278-7 ( S.F. Grobler 87, L .Johnston 75no, J. Greenslade 36, K. McLay 25no, N. Smith 24, J. Ovens 4-31, R. Simpson 2-52 )
Valley Senior 158 ( H. McKenzie 36, H. Loe 34, B. Neale 27, S.F. Grobler 3-18, N. Smith 2-17, J. Hayward 2-19, M. Munro 2-31 )
WBHS by 104 runs
St Kevins 1st XI vs Union Senior at St Kevins Artifical 1
St Kevins 1st XI 114 ( B.C. Cant 37, B. Kingan 32, P. Johnston 5-12, G.R. Cameron 2-26 )
Union Senior 116-2 ( D.J. Drew 49, J. Todd 36no )
Union by 8 wickets