Green Island was dominant against University-Grange from the outset at Sunnyvale on Saturday. The University-Grange top order failed to get established. and the side was struggling at 76 for six before Dave Simpson ground out an invaluable innings of 49.
He led his team to a modest 164, Freddy Klassen the pick of the Green Island bowlers with four for 17 off nine overs.
Green Island's response was well constructed as the openers fought through to 56 before the first wicket fell. Many batsmen contributed in the innings. Eventually, Henry Blackwell (36 not out) and Ben Williamson (21 not out) reached the total comfortably with just under 10 overs to spare.
Taieri 154 beat Otago Country 149 by five runs
Taieri elected to bat first at Molyneux Park, but the early momentum went Otago Country's way. Cameron Fawlkner and Dipan Tandell bowled well in tandem to dominate Taieri's top order.
However, Tim Clydesdale (53) played a captain's knock for his team and a handy innings from Simon Cromarty allowed Taieri to scrape through to 154. Keeper Jarred Andrew had a fine performance with the gloves, taking six catches.
The match was anyone's for the taking at the midway point, but Otago Country was determined and, at 52 without loss, it seemed the outcome was inevitable. Taieri dug deep and Brad Frost and Jack Hunter led the fightback, dismissing Otago Country just in time as it went down to the wire.
North East Valley 170 for seven beat Albion 162 by eight runs
North East Valley set a reasonable total at Logan Park thanks largely to Lance Taylor's courageous innings of 74. Taylor found himself at the crease very early and witnessed several dismissals around him. The Albion bowlers were generally convincing. Michael Snedden was economical and dismissed two batsmen. An explosive unbeaten 34 late in the innings by Sam Blakely was handy for North East Valley.
Albion lost wickets regularly before Mark Somerville steadied the innings with 64, and his side had the opportunity to claim victory. But the North East Valley bowlers were reliable and did not allow the tail to score the handful of runs required. Blakely took four wickets, while both Simon and Jamie Murley chipped in to bowl out Albion eight runs short.
Carisbrook-Dunedin 234 for nine beat Kaikorai 135 by 99 runs
Carisbrook-Dunedin was asked to bat at Tonga Park. When Brad Rodden came to the crease, he teamed with Sean Eathorne (36) to put on 44, and then with Tony McEntyre (36) to add an additional 89 runs. Jackson Latham, who took three for 53, eventually dismissed Rodden for 85, but the damage had been done, and Kaikorai knew it would have to bat very well to achieve the 235 required for the win.
Early wickets fell for Kaikorai, though Geordie Scott (34) looked promising. Rhys Phillips stood out for Carisbrook-Dunedin in dismissing four Kaikorai batsmen. The other Carisbrook-Dunedin bowlers were effective and Kaikorai was bowled out 99 runs short.
By Sam Bowden.
