beat University-Grange 206/6
Otago back-up keeper Max Chu made a brilliant start to the summer and spoiled University-Grange’s return with a century at the top of the Carisbrook-Dunedin order.
He stroked 114 from 137 balls to help his side post 267 for six at Tonga Park No 3.
University-Grange, in its first match back in the senior grade in four years, was not able to keep pace with the required run rate and was restricted to 206 for six.
Steven Newey was particularly difficult to get away. He took two for 27 from his 10 overs, while Patrick Arnold was frugal as well, with one for 33 from 10.
Chu, though, was the star. He worked the ball into the gaps and ran hard, with just 30 of his runs coming in boundaries.
With Otago keeper Mitch Renwick under an injury cloud, Chu may have played his way into the first-class side.
The Volts team for its season opener against Northern Districts is set to be named today.Chu had good support from fellow opener Camden Hawkins, who made 31. Jack Pryde chipped in with 34 and Will O’Brien played a nice cameo with 35 not out.
Josh Taylor was the best of the University-Grange bowlers with two for 43 and he top scored with 65 not out.
Green Island 294
beat Albion 237
New Green Island recruit Tom Beaton has made a big impression in his first senior game for the club.
The former Melbourne Renegades player smashed 91 runs from 70 deliveries to help Green Island post an imposing total of 294 at Culling Park.
Beaton has moved from Australia with the intention of qualifying as a local player and is likely to feature in the Otago twenty20 line-up this summer.
He swatted seven sixes and four fours during the onslaught. Albion used eight bowlers in an attempt to slow the run rate but Geordie Scott helped turn up the pressure with a fine knock of 46 from 26.
Liam O’Brien picked up a couple of wickets in the middle order and was arguably the best of the Albion bowlers. He secured a run out as well.
Jamie Glenn did his best to help his side overhaul the target with a classy innings of 106 from 108 deliveries.
O’Brien (47 from 64) and Josh Cuttance (36 from 31) put in a big effort lower down the order. But Albion lost its first three wickets for 11 runs, and did well to get as close as it did.
Veteran medium pacer Dion Lobb removed the top three in his first two overs and finished with four for 42, while Beaton completed a great debut with two for 27.
North East Valley 102
lost to Kaikorai 105 for six
Kaikorai overhauled North East Valley’s modest total of 102 to record a four-wicket win at Bayfield.
Valley elected to bat but quickly found itself under pressure. Opening bowlers Robbie Brigham (three for 18) and Jeremy Smith (two for seven) combined to removed the top five for a miserly total of 63.
Taine Bayly helped wrap up the tail with three for 20.
It was not much of an innings from Valley, but Llew Johnson top-scored with 23. Extras was the next biggest contribution. Kaikorai conceded 22 of them.
The chase was far from convincing. Bailey Andrews-Kennedy nabbed three for 27 in a quality 10 over spell.
But Jordan Gain (24) and Joshua Preston (27) ground out enough runs to help their side get the win.
Ben Donkers (22 not out) hit three fours to seal the victory in the 32nd over.
