North East Valley managed to hold on for a draw, despite a commanding batting performance by Carisbrook-Dunedin, in Dunedin senior cricket on Saturday.
In a declaration match, Carisbrook opener Nick Eathorne hit a gallant 114 to help his side score a commanding total of 276, before declaring after 55 overs.
Brad Rodden (54) and Tony McEntyre (42) were the other key contributors as the North East Valley bowlers struggled to take quick wickets.
With North East Valley set a target of 277 for victory, Carisbrook bowler Tom Rutherford ripped through the order, recording figures of six for 50 from his 16 overs.
Rutherford's performance with the ball left North East Valley teetering at 140 for eight and defeat seemed imminent. However, lower-order batsman Florian Schmidt batted gallantly for 19 runs, protecting his wicket and enabling his side to salvage a draw.
North East Valley finished at 193 for nine after 55 overs, with Carisbrook running out of time to record a victory that had looked certain.
Kaikorai 211/7 beat Albion 201 by 10 runs
Kaikorai batsman Tim Muir was almost a one-man band as he hit more than half of his team's 211 runs.
Batting at a slow run rate, Muir settled at the crease in the third over, and stayed the course of the innings, to finish on 110 not out.
In response, Albion started strongly, with openers Jamie Glenn (31) and Tom Dixon (27) helping their side reach 48 before the first wicket fell.
However, Kaikorai bowler Muir took some prize scalps and help restrict the Albion side. Muir recorded figures of four for 35, with three of his wickets being top four batsmen.
Mark Craig (60) tried to scrape his side home to victory, but the total proved too much, as Albion finished 10 runs shy.
Green Island 122/2 beat Taieri 121 by eight wickets
Green Island bowler Dion Lobb took another five-wicket bag as his side dismissed Taieri for a paltry 121.
Taieri had shown renewed promise in recent weeks. However, facing top-of-the-table Green Island proved too tough. Ash Simpson (24) and Simon Cromarty (25) showed some fight with the bat, but with wickets continually falling around them, Taieri stumbled to be all out for 121.
Gregor Croudis (47) and Ben Patston (40), put on 68 for the first Green Island wicket.
Scott Simpson came to the crease and combined with Croudis to hit the side towards the total.
Despite Croudis losing his wicket late, the side reached the total inside 25 overs for an easy win.
- John Mckenzie
