Friday night’s opening round of the Dick Hunt T20 competition featured Oamaru beating Albion by 73 runs and Valley securing their maiden win of the season with a 38-run triumph over Glenavy.
After winning the toss at the outer oval and choosing to bat, Oamaru posted an imposing 170 for six from their 20 overs.
Early wickets left them at 27 for three, but Matt Brien steadied the ship with a blistering 52 from 31 deliveries, striking six boundaries.
Jordan Horrell provided solid support with 30 from 24 balls in a crucial partnership.
When Brien fell at 117, late contributions from Lachlan Brookes (30 not out) and Ricky Atwal (24 not out) propelled the total to 170.
Tom Squire took two for 28 and Joshua Miller claimed two for 16 for Albion.
Albion’s chase never gained enough impetus, finishing at 97 all out in 17.4 overs.
Sabareesh Ramesh provided early fireworks with a rapid 21 from 10 balls, but his run out at 28 triggered a collapse. Tom Squire battled to 24 not out, but got little help as wickets fell regularly.
Brien completed a match-winning all-round performance, devastating Albion’s batting order with figures of four for eight from four overs, while Hunter Wardle chipped in with three for 11 as Oamaru’s bowling attack handed their team a comprehensive 73-run victory.
Valley recovered from a shaky start to post a defendable 112 for eight after winning the toss and batting first.
Billy Wilson played the anchor role to perfection, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 49 after his side had slumped to 12 for three in the fourth over.
Glenavy’s Zach Graham took four for 18, supported by Ross McCulloch’s two for 14.
Replying, Glenavy never got a solid partnership going and were dismissed for 74 in 14.5 overs.
George Mavor took three for 22 for Valley, while Campbell Fowler’s four for 16 kept the pressure on throughout.
Despite a brief late flurry, Glenavy could not sustain any momentum, and Jack Cameron mopped up the tail with two wickets to complete Valley’s 38-run victory.
— Scott Cameron
