Blustery conditions greeted North Otago cricketers in the first round of the new season.
Union won the toss and batted against St Kevins. Thomas Anderson (61) and Jeremiah Shields (59) put on 99 for the first wicket. After Shields' dismissal with the score on 162, St Kevins fought back, taking 4 wickets for just 10 runs to have Union at 172-5 in 37 overs. Brad Fleming (34 not out) and Thomas Shields (34) then combined for 78 runs, guiding Union to 251/6 from their 50 overs.
Hamish Fowler took 3-36 for St Kevins.
When Hamish was joined by his brother Jacob at the crease, St Kevins were struggling at 4-45. The pair added 57 for the fifth wicket before Jacob (44) departed and wickets started to tumble. Hamish was last out for 48 as St Kevins were dismissed for 168 in 41 overs. Ben Mavor took 5-51 and James 2-24 for Union.
At Glenavy, Albion secured a 100-run victory. They posted 257 in 50 overs thanks to Ravi Laila (50), Aneesh Bose (25), Jacob Davies (21), Josh Miller (20) and Riley White (20). Dean Malcolm took 3-40 for Glenavy, who managed 157 in 41 overs, with Zach Graham (29) and Jordan Mulligan (24) top-scoring.
A 600-run thriller unfolded at Waitaki Boys High as defending champions Oamaru hosted Valley. Led by Jack Price's 89, Valley reached 300/9. Shannon Dunnett (42), Hunter Growcott (32), George Mavor (31), Cameron Grubb (31 off just 13 balls with 5 sixes) and Glynn Cameron (21) all contributed.
Oamaru lost two wickets in the first over before Lachlan Brookes (47) and Luke Taylor (76) added 113. At 7-184, Valley looked on top, but Nick Johnston (49) and Quinn Wardle (60 not out) combined for a critical 104 runs for the eighth wicket. Wardle guided Oamaru home in the final over, reaching 302-8 in 49.1 overs.
Short Scorecard(s)
Senior - Borton Cup - Round 1
Valley Senior vs Oamaru Senior at Don Field 1A
Valley Senior 300-9 ( J.J. Price 89, S. Dunnett 42, H. Growcott 32, G. Mavor 31, C.N. Grubb 31, G.R. Cameron 21, S.F. Grobler 3-45, Q.I. Wardle 2-41 )
Oamaru Senior 302-8 ( L. Taylor 76, Q.I. Wardle 60no, N.R. Johnson 49, L.X.F. Brookes 47, S.F Grobler 39, C.N. Grubb 3-42, J.E. Cameron 3-46 )
Oamaru by 2 wickets.
Union Senior vs St Kevins 1st XI at St Kevins Artifical 1
Union Senior 251-6 ( T. Anderson 61, J. Shields 59, T. Shields 34, B. Fleming 34no, B. James 30, H. Fowler 3-36 )
St Kevins 1st XI 168 ( H. Fowler 48, J. Fowler 44, L.T. Direen 21, B. Mavor 5-51, B. James 2-24 )
Union by 83 runs.
Albion Senior vs Glenavy at Glenavy
Albion Senior 257-9 ( R. Lalia 50, A. Ashok 33, A Bose 25, J. Davies 21, A. Singh 21, R. White 20, J. Miller 20, D. Malcom 3-40, R. Jones 2-36 )
Glenavy 157 ( Z. Graham 29, J. Mulligan 24, J. Davies 3-30, A. Bose 2-16, J. Joseph 2-26 )
Albion won by 100 runs.