Cricket: Green Island bid continues

After poor weather throughout the week, all four senior games were transferred to artificial wickets on Saturday.

University-Grange destroyed North East Valley by 10 wickets, Albion beat Pelichet Bay with ease, Taieri had a good win over Kaikorai and Green Island continued its bid for the title as it knocked over Carisbrook-Dunedin.

North East Valley 136 for nine lost to University-Grange 137/0 by 10 wickets

North East Valley elected to bat as it looked to make the most of the conditions, but batted through 60 overs in a sluggish fashion.

Valley showed absolutely no intent with the bat and this allowed the Grange bowlers to get on top and control the game.

They shared the wickets around as Craig Smith, Cam Rutherford and Mitch Rutherford took three wickets apiece.

Russell Thomas top-scored for North East Valley with a well-compiled 45, while Ben Smith batted the majority of the innings for his 34 not out.

Andrew Hore got the Grange innings off to a rollicking start and he plundered a hapless Valley attack on his way to smashing an impressive 102 not out off just 55 balls.

Hore brought up his ton by smashing the winning runs in the 19th over.

Hore was well supported by fellow opener Michael Bracewell, who chipped in with 33 not out.

Pelichet Bay 180 lost to Albion 181 for five by five wickets

Pelichet Bay was in early trouble as it lost a quick couple of wickets but recovered through a good third-wicket partnership of 116 between George Spittle (42) and Andy Dodd (80).

Once these two were dismissed, the Bay innings again lost its way, as the middle and lower order failed to contribute.

The pick of the Albion bowlers was Ollie Newton, who finished with three for 38 off 13 overs.

Albion came out aggressively with the bat, with openers Nathan King (37) and Jamie Glenn (30) both scoring quickly.

Mark Craig chipped in with a solid 35 while Nick Cape top-scored with a well-constructed 48 not out.

These contributions allowed Albion to cruise to victory five wickets down in the 33rd over.

Taieri 260 beat Kaikorai 198 by 62 runs

Jarrad Waldron got Taieri off to a flyer at Brooklands.

He set the tone for the innings with 104, combining in a fourth-wicket partnership with George Harper of 115 that dominated the Taieri innings.

Harper batted well in support of Waldron as he made 53.

Craig Sneddon bowled particularly well for Kaikorai as he took four for 60.

Michael MacKenzie was the key destroyer for Taieri as he knocked over the Kaikorai top order.

MacKenzie finished with the impressive figures of six for 64 off 20 overs.

Kaikorai was down and out before a remarkable partnership of 109 for the 10th wicket between Sneddon (71) and Will Deerness (36) got Kaikorai through to a respectable score.

Green Island 241 for nine decbeat Carisbrook-Dunedin 173 by 68 runs

Green Island lost early wickets but resurrected its innings through a third-wicket partnership of 132 between Mark Joyce (71) and Jordan Sheed (58).

Rhys Phillips was the pick of the Carisbrook bowlers as he took four for 62.

The Carisbrook batsmen had no problems getting starts but failed to capitalise on them as Tom Hills top-scored with a patient 32.

Dion Lobb backed up from last week with another five-wicket bag.